Sakuu Corporation(formerly KeraCel), a specialist in 3D printed energy storage devices, has been awarded three new patents.
Each of the patents are intended to improve the efficiency and flexibility of the company’s multi-material additive manufacturing capabilities, which are used to 3D print solid-state batteries.
The first of the patents is a new hybrid solid-state cell design with a sealed anode structure. The other two are additive manufacturing systems, one of which can fabricate stacked active devices such as micro-reactors and batteries, while the other is an electrographic 3D printer.
与Sakuu的多物质3D打印
Backed by Japanese automotive manufacturerMusashi Seimitsu, Sakuu is focused on 3D printing high-performance solid-state batteries for诸如电子机动性之类的应用。Since rebranding from KeraCel earlier this year, the company has launched its own industrial-grade 3D printer designed specifically for fabricating electric vehicle (EV) batteries at scale.
被称为“ sakuu am平台”，该系统具有多物质3D打印功能。通过将粉末床技术与材料喷气式相结合，该机器能够与陶瓷，金属和公司自己的“ Poralyte”支撑材料一起使用。据该公司称，Sakuu AM平台能够生产具有传统电池能力两倍的固态电池，同时将材料消耗量化为一半。
Sakuu的创始人兼首席执行官罗伯特·巴格里（Robert Bagheri）解释说：“固态电池是一种圣杯技术，但它们既非常困难又昂贵。”“通过利用我们独特且可扩展的AM流程的灵活性和提高效率的功能，我们正在使电池制造商和电动汽车公司能够克服这些基本的疼痛点。”
Three new patents
Sakuu’s first new patent is for a monolithic electrochemical cell housing made of ceramic. The structure is complete with space for an anode and a cathode, along with a separator cutting between the two. This novel housing reportedly enables higher charging rates, but without the safety concerns associated with conventional lithium-ion batteries. The design complements two other patents granted to Sakuu back in 2020 – one for an integrated cell stack battery and one for a monolithic solid-state battery.
Sakuu写道：“这些结构共同使固态电池的能量密度提高，而不会损害稳定性和寿命。”
The company’s second new patent is for a 3D printing system that enables users to assemble patterned layers into functional 3D devices on an assembly plate. It includes a carrier substrate that dispenses layers of material (which are 3D printed separately) into a stack, creating active devices like solid-state batteries with reduced material use and weight.
最后，第三项新专利是基于电气石，又名Xerography的3D打印机。成像过程通常用于复印机，传真和数字2D打印机中，以从数字文件中生成印刷品。该技术的特征是它的速度，能够用薄层和很高的精度打印大面积。
Scaling it up to the third dimension, Sakuu’s novel system is capable of 3D printing active devices such as batteries using a composite toner material, as well as a selection of ceramics, metals, and polymers.
3D打印储能设备
通过复杂的几何形状，3D打印可以改善存储设备的性能。今年早些时候，来自加利福尼亚研究所技术（加州理工学院）开发了一种新颖的方法锂离子电池的3D打印电极。Using DLP 3D printing technology, the team was able to fabricate complex structures made of electrode materials, with reports of excellent battery capacity and stability.
Elsewhere, in industry, 3D printer manufacturer光中心launched an entire division dedicated to the development ofeco-friendly 3D printed electric batteries。该公司此前曾领导过其他几个由赠款资助的项目，现在已经专门提供了进一步的资源来优化3D印刷燃料电池以用于汽车应用。
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Featured image shows the inside of the Sakuu AM Platform. Photo via Sakuu.
