3D Printed Batteries

Abstract

In recent years, 3D-printed batteries have gained significant manufacturing interest due to their design flexibility, process controllability, reduction in material waste, monolithic integration with electronic devices, and environmental friendliness. In comparison to conventional batteries, 3D-printed batteries yield higher electrochemical performance in narrow spaces due to the well-defined architecture of electrodes and electrolytes. Currently, 3D-printed battery research focuses on battery designs, active materials to form inks/filaments with printable rheological properties, and the suitable 3D printing techniques. This chapter discusses the recent progress in 3D printing techniques for battery manufacturing, printing processes, and the printable active materials to construct battery components in 3D architectures. The 3D-printed battery construction strategies, such as sandwich, integrative, micropillar, 3D scaffold, and fibre, are also discussed based on their structural characteristics as well as the electrochemical stability. Finally, the future development directions, major challenges, and outlook on the design and development of high performance 3D-printed batteries are summarised with some applications.