Additive manufactured electrode for flow battery

An electrode within an electrolyte environment, the electrode comprising:

• an electrode body comprising:
• a rigid core having a plurality of flow channels that is any one or combination of:
• formed on the rigid core or within a portion of the rigid core, the rigid core comprising carbon foam;
• and
• an outer shell disposed on the rigid core, the outer shell comprising carbon felt, wherein the carbon foam provides a low-pressure path to supply electrolyte to the outer shell when electrolyte is caused to flow through the electrode body, and the carbon felt provides a reaction zone for the electrode body, and
• wherein each flow channel forms a first electrolyte pathway and a second electrolyte pathway, wherein the first electrolyte pathway and the second electrolyte pathway are configured to receive electrolyte and cause electrolyte flowing through the first electrolyte pathway to cross into electrolyte flowing through the second electrolyte pathway, resulting in turbulent electrolyte flow within each flow channel;
• wherein each flow channel has a shape including:
• helical, forming first and second helical electrolyte pathways;
• X-cross, forming first and second X-cross electrolyte pathways;
• or
• post-type, forming first and second post-type electrolyte pathways;
• wherein the first and second electrolyte pathway provide a conduit for electrolyte to flow through so that electrolyte flows as a fluid column within each flow channel.