Mechanical systems and methods for providing edge support and protection in semi-solid electrodes

An electrode, comprising:

• a current collector having a planar surface;
• a barrier disposed around a perimeter of the planar surface of the current collector, the barrier having an inner surface defining an inner region;
• and
• a semi-solid electrode material disposed in the inner region of the current collector, the semi-solid electrode material including a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte,
• wherein the barrier has a nonzero width of about 3 mm or less and has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the semi-solid electrode material disposed in the inner region,
• wherein the inner surface of the barrier contacts and provides edge support for the semi-solid electrode material.

An electrode, comprising:

• a current collector having a planar surface;
• a barrier disposed around a perimeter of the planar surface of the current collector, the barrier having an inner surface defining an inner region;
• and
• a semi-solid electrode material disposed in the inner surface of the current collector, the semi-solid electrode material including a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte,
• wherein the barrier contains the semi-solid electrode material in the inner region,
• wherein the inner surface of the barrier contacts and provides edge support for the semi-solid electrode material, and
• wherein the barrier has a thickness less than a thickness of the semi-solid electrode material.

An electrode, comprising:

• a current collector having a first planar surface and a second planar surface;
• a first barrier disposed on the first planar surface of the current collector, the first barrier having an inner surface defining a first inner region;
• and
• a first semi-solid electrode material disposed in the first inner region of the current collector, the first semi-solid electrode material including a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte,
• wherein the inner surface of the first barrier contacts and provides edge support for the first semi-solid electrode material;
• and
• a second barrier disposed on the second planar surface of the current collector, the second barrier having an inner surface defining a second inner region;
• and
• a second semi-solid electrode material disposed in the second inner region of the current collector, the second semi-solid electrode material including a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte,
• wherein the inner surface of the second barrier contacts and provides edge support for the second semi-solid electrode material, and
• wherein the first barrier has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the first semi-solid electrode material disposed in the first inner region and the second barrier has a thickness that is less than a second thickness of the second semi-solid electrode material disposed in the second inner region.