Apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a thin-film substrate

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873750

Hanson, Eric J ^[1]; Kooyer, Richard L ^[2]

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1. Hudson, WI
2. Hastings, MN

An apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a surface of a continuous thin-film substrate and a treated thin-film cathode having increased smoothness are disclosed. A web of untreated cathode material is moved between a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism, and passed through a treatment station. The web of cathode material typically includes areas having surface defects, such as prominences extending from the surface of the cathode material. The surface of the cathode material is treated with an abrasive material to reduce the height of the prominences so as to increase an 85 degree gloss value of the cathode material surface by at least approximately 10. The web of cathode material may be subjected to a subsequent abrasive treatment at the same or other treatment station. Burnishing or lapping film is employed at a treatment station to process the cathode material. An abrasive roller may alternatively be used to process the web of cathode material. The apparatus and method of the present invention may also be employed to treat the surface of a lithium anode foil so as to cleanse and reduce the roughness of the anode foil surface.

• Research Organization: United States Advanced Battery Consortium, Dearborn, MI (US)
• DOE Contract Number: FC02-91CE50336
• Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (St. Paul, MN); Hydro-Quebec (Montreal)
• Patent Number(s): US 6235425
• OSTI ID: 873750
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
method
treating
cathode
material
provided
thin-film
substrate
surface
continuous
treated
increased
smoothness
disclosed
web
untreated
moved
feed
mechanism
take-up
passed
treatment
station
typically
defects
prominences
extending
abrasive
reduce
height
increase
85
degree
gloss
value
approximately
10
subjected
subsequent
burnishing
lapping
film
employed
process
roller
alternatively
treat
lithium
anode
foil
cleanse
roughness
surface defects
abrasive material
lithium anode
material surface
cathode material
material provided
thin-film substrate
feed mechanism
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