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US 6,706,448 B1Granted
Method and apparatus for lithiating alloys
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsJames L. Gole, Frank P. Dudel
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AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsJames L. Gole, Frank P. Dudel
Estimating the term…
The present invention is generally directed to a system for lithiating alloys. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for performing vapor deposition of a lithium alloy on a substrate comprising the steps of vaporizing a mass of lithium and controllably heating a lithium-soluble element, such as magnesium. The method further includes the step of disposing the lithium-soluble element in the lithium vapor, wherein the lithium vapor promotes the vaporization of the lithium-soluble element to create a combined vapor having intimately mixed constituencies from both the lithium and lithium-soluble element. Finally, the method includes the step of disposing a temperature controlled substrate in the combined vapor, whereby the combined vapor is deposited on the substrate. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for depositing a lithium alloy onto a substrate for producing a lithium alloy electrode, which exhibits enhanced surface diffusion of lithium.
An electrode material for use in a rechargeable battery, the electrode comprising a lithium alloy having a first surface and an opposed external surface, the external surface defining pores that extend generally inward from the external surface towards the first surface, wherein the pores of the external surface enhance lithium diffusion, whereby the enhanced lithium diffusion inhibits dendritric growth of lithium from the external surface of the lithium alloy during the use of the battery.
An electrode material for use in a rechargeable battery, the electrode comprising a lithium alloy having a porous surface that enhances lithium diffusion, whereby the enhanced lithium diffusion inhibits dendritric growth of lithium from the surface of the lithium alloy during the use of the battery, wherein the lithium alloy is produced from the process of:
An electrode for use in a rechargeable battery, the electrode comprising:
An electrode for use in a rechargeable battery, the electrode comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.