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Researchers 3D Print Custom-Sized Lithium-Ion Batteries (engadget.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the baby-steps dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Engadget: [N]ew research published in ACS Applied Energy Materials shows that it's possible to 3D-print lithium-ion batteries into whatever shape you need. The problem that has stood in the way of 3D-printed lithium-ion batteries (at least, until now) is that the polymers traditionally used in this kind of printing aren't ionic conductors. The goal was to find a way to print custom-sized lithium-ion batteries in a cost-effective way using a regular, widely available 3D printer. In order to make the batteries conductive, the team led by Christopher Reyes and Benjamin Wiley infused the polylactic acid (PLA) usually used in 3D printing with an electrolyte solution. The researchers also incorporated graphene and carbon nanotubes into the design of the case to help increase conductivity. After these design modifications, the team was able to 3D print an LED bracelet, complete with a custom-sized lithium-ion battery. The battery was only able to power the bracelet for about 60 seconds, but the researchers have ideas for how to improve the capacity. For those interested, Engadget has a short video on the subject.

18 comments

  1. AC 3D Prints Custom Sized by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Frosty Piss

    Bazinga!

  2. So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by Crashmarik · · Score: 1, Insightful

    You know the one that keeps your battery safe and stops it from exploding ?

    The copper contacts ?

    I suppose that I should just chalk this up to pandering infotainment, but really how hard is it to understand that if you are going to make a significant amount of anything you need to use techniques geared to making significant amounts.

    1. Re: So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Clearly - you did not read the article. I mean this is slashdot and all, but at least click on the fucking link for once.

      Gawd I hate internet losers like you.

    2. Re: So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Steel? What the hell are you talking about, granpa? Copper contacts?? Uh, what?

    3. Re: So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, they're just as bad as internet losers like you.

    4. Re: So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by Crashmarik · · Score: 1

      Steel? What the hell are you talking about, granpa? Copper contacts?? Uh, what?

      I know it's hard to help your level of ignorance especially since you are belligerently ignorant. But here goes

      Step 1: Take the back off your phone
      Step 2: Take the battery out
      Step 3: Look at it.

    5. Re: So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by Gaygirlie · · Score: 1

      Steel? What the hell are you talking about, granpa? Copper contacts?? Uh, what?

      I know it's hard to help your level of ignorance especially since you are belligerently ignorant. But here goes

      Step 1: Take the back off your phone
      Step 2: Take the battery out
      Step 3: Look at it.

      Um, there's no steel case around it, it's just a lipo-pouch.

    6. Re: So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure if your product is going to sell millions, you can get a battery manufacturer to make you small batches of custom shapes for prototypes. For most of us that work on products that don't quite sell that many, we have to design a product around a standard battery, when it would be much better to design the battery for the product. Once prototyped and tested, we can get large batches of custom batteries using traditional methods.

      3D printing parts for niche products directly is still quite profitable too. I've worked on devices that were made in quantities from dozens to hundreds for contracts from research projects. They are mostly paying for engineering work and assembly of custom parts. We already use 3d printed cases when they are trying to minimize weight or other constraints. We would pay a lot for 3D printered batteries on some projects.

      I don't know why you go on about steel case, which isn't usually something done for smaller batteries, or copper contacts where you can just use standard ones. We need weirdly shaped batteries that efficiently use remaining space in a device, not weirdly shaped connectors.

    7. Re: So they 3d printed the sealed steal case ? by parkinglot777 · · Score: 1

      You know the one that keeps your battery safe and stops it from exploding ?

      The copper contacts ?

      I suppose that I should just chalk this up to pandering infotainment, but really how hard is it to understand that if you are going to make a significant amount of anything you need to use techniques geared to making significant amounts.

      If you are talking about short-circuit which causes Li-ion batteries to explode, then you should at least read this site.

      My point is, the 3D printing is nice to create a custom-size batteries, but I hope that those who create their own battery size know what they are doing. The design is the key and that they need to know how a Li-ion battery works in the first place, or there is a high risk of making an easily explode custom-sized battery.

  3. err steel by Crashmarik · · Score: 1

    NT

  4. I'm waiting for 4D printing by goombah99 · · Score: 1

    with 4D printing the volume extends into another dimension so it doesn't take up much space in your pocket

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    1. Re:I'm waiting for 4D printing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Doctor Who did it. Tardis fits in the size of a phone booth, but is massively large.

    2. Re:I'm waiting for 4D printing by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

      with 4D printing the volume extends into another dimension so it doesn't take up much space in your pocket

      4D printing: 3D printing that takes time.

    3. Re:I'm waiting for 4D printing by Mnemennth · · Score: 1

      Yes, and when you fart in the TARDIS, it doesn't linger like in a phone booth; it lingers 'til the end of time... ;P

  5. Takes advantage of empty space? by Fly+Swatter · · Score: 1

    I guess that's a neat proof of concept since maybe phone makers can make the battery fit all around the internal components that stick up off the circuit board, speakers, microphones, and wrap it around the headphone ja... oh wait!

    As for the publisher, at first I thought it was just a blank page until I scrolled down, then it looked like it was made for display on a phone. Then another whole page of blank space before more content... turns out that was all ad space, thank goodness for ad blockers, although I don't see how they get traffic that comes back, even with no ad blocker their content just gets lost in the ads.

  6. How much by bobstreo · · Score: 1

    for a 1MW battery? (Mega Watt, not Milli Watt)

    Could you 3D print it in the shape of a shed for my backyard, far from my house, with a fire suppression system and heat venting, with room for feeds from solar and wind power?

  7. Not user friendly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Users don't need unique batteries, they need standard batteries. Unique batteries are hard to source and replace and will end up costing consumers.

  8. 3D Printer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Make sure that a 3D printer's build area is large enough for the kind of objects that you intend to print with it. The build area is the size, in three dimensions, of the largest object that can be printed with a given printer. View https://www.printererrorrepair.com/blog/printer-in-error-state/ for more information.