A screen-printing method for manufacturing of current collectors for structural batteries

Abstract Structural carbon fibre composite batteries are a type of multifunctional that combine the energy storage capability battery with load-carrying ability structural material. To extract current from cell, collectors needed. However, expensive, hard to connect electrode material and add mass system. Further, attaching collector must not affect electrochemical properties negatively or requires time-consuming, manual steps. This paper presents proof-of-concept method for screen-printing using silver conductive paste. Current screen-printed directly on spread tows polycarbonate carrier film. Experimental results show performance vs lithium metal half-cells is similar reference foil adhered metal-foil collectors. The fulfil requirements electrical conductivity, adhesion fibres flexible handling electrode. process highly automatable allows cost-efficient upscaling large scale manufacturing arbitrary complex shapes. Hence, shows promising route realization high performing in potentially other types solutions.