Sakuu Corporation awarded three new patents to advance 3D printed solid-state batteries

Sakuu Corporation (previously KeraCel), a professional in 3D printed power storage equipment, has been awarded a few new patents.

Every single of the patents are intended to make improvements to the performance and flexibility of the company’s multi-product additive production abilities, which are employed to 3D print stable-state batteries.

The initial of the patents is a new hybrid strong-condition mobile design with a sealed anode framework. The other two are additive producing programs, just one of which can fabricate stacked lively devices these kinds of as micro-reactors and batteries, while the other is an electrographic 3D printer.

An electric scooter being charged.
Sakuu thinks that its battery 3D printing technological know-how could unlock the mainstream adoption of EVs. Picture via Sakuu Company.

Multi-substance 3D printing with Sakuu

Backed by Japanese automotive manufacturer Musashi Seimitsu, Sakuu is focused on 3D printing superior-functionality sound-point out batteries for programs these types of as e-mobility. Considering the fact that rebranding from KeraCel before this yr, the enterprise has released its very own industrial-grade 3D printer built particularly for fabricating electric car or truck (EV) batteries at scale.

Dubbed the ‘Sakuu AM Platform’, the procedure characteristics multi-material 3D printing capabilities. By combining powder bed systems with product jetting, the equipment is able to operate with ceramics, metals, and the company’s own ‘Poralyte’ assist materials inside of unique layers. According to the business, the Sakuu AM System is ready to develop good-state batteries with two times the capability of conventional cells, all even though slashing substance use in half.

“Solid-condition batteries are a holy grail technological know-how, but they are both equally quite tough and highly-priced to make,” clarifies Robert Bagheri, Founder and CEO of Sakuu. “By harnessing the flexibility and effectiveness-improving abilities of our exceptional and scalable AM system, we’re enabling battery suppliers and EV businesses to overcome these basic discomfort factors.”

The inside of the Sakuu AM Platform. Photo via Sakuu.
The within of the Sakuu AM Platform. Photograph by way of Sakuu.

3 new patents

Sakuu’s very first new patent is for a monolithic electrochemical mobile housing made of ceramic. The construction is total with place for an anode and a cathode, alongside with a separator slicing between the two. This novel housing reportedly enables better charging prices, but without the need of the basic safety fears involved with standard lithium-ion batteries. The structure enhances two other patents granted to Sakuu back again in 2020 – one particular for an integrated cell stack battery and just one for a monolithic solid-state battery.

Sakuu writes, “Collectively these constructions help elevated strength density for strong-condition batteries, with no compromising steadiness and lifespan.”

The company’s 2nd new patent is for a 3D printing system that allows consumers to assemble patterned layers into practical 3D devices on an assembly plate. It involves a carrier substrate that dispenses layers of material (which are 3D printed individually) into a stack, building active products like good-condition batteries with diminished product use and weight.

Last but not least, the 3rd new patent is a 3D printer primarily based on electrography, aka xerography. The imaging method is typically employed in copiers, faxes, and digital 2D printers to create prints from digital files. The technological know-how is characterized by its velocity, getting equipped to print huge areas with thin layers and quite substantial precision.

Scaling it up to the third dimension, Sakuu’s novel procedure is able of 3D printing energetic products this sort of as batteries utilizing a composite toner material, as very well as a assortment of ceramics, metals, and polymers.

3D printing electrical power storage products

By intricate geometries, 3D printing can strengthen the performance of electrical power storage products. Previously this calendar year, scientists from the California Institute of Engineering (Caltech) made a novel strategy of 3D printing electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. Making use of DLP 3D printing technological know-how, the staff was equipped to fabricate intricate structures created of electrode supplies, with reviews of superb battery capacity and stability.

In other places, in industry, 3D printer maker Photocentric introduced an complete division focused to the growth of eco-welcoming 3D printed electric powered batteries. Owning formerly led several other grant-funded tasks, the firm has now dedicated additional assets to optimizing 3D printed gas cells for automotive apps.

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Highlighted picture exhibits the within of the Sakuu AM Platform. Photo through Sakuu.