Systems And Methods For Energy Storage Cells Having Improved Intercalation
An energy storage cell includes an enclosure, a cathode, a separator, and an anode in electro-chemical communication with each other to produce electric current. The cathode, separator, and anode are located within the enclosure. The anode includes a plurality of components for improved density and improved extent of content organized as graphene. Each component is formed as a tape. The tape includes planar sheets of carbon organized in a primarily perpendicular line orientation.
1 . A method for making a preform for an electrode, the method comprising:
a. obtaining a plurality of fibers wherein each fiber has a respective longitudinal axis, a respective width and a respective thickness less than the width;
b. arranging the plurality of fibers in a length-parallel arrangement so that the width of each fiber faces an active region of a surface of the preform, the active region for admitting ions for intercalation; and
c. binding the plurality of fibers to maintain the arrangement, thereby producing the preform.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein each fiber comprises a plurality of carbon sheets juxtaposed to each other in primarily perpendicular line orientation.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the perpendicular line orientation of each fiber is perpendicular to the respective width of each fiber.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the fiber comprises:
a. extruding a mass comprising mesophase pitch through a slot-shaped die;
b. drawing extrudate from the die; and
c. stabilizing the extrudate to form the fiber.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein stabilizing comprises one or more of oxidizing, carbonizing, and graphitizing.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein arranging comprises placing respective lengths of fiber into a mold.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein:
a. the mold contains contents comprising the lengths of fiber and a binder; and
b. binding comprises carbonizing and graphitizing the contents of the mold.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the arrangement comprises a warp of fibers.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein:
a. arranging comprises forming a first warp of a first portion of the plurality of fibers and forming a second warp of a second portion of the plurality of fibers; and
b. binding comprises introducing a binder between the first warp and the second warp.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein binding produces the preform comprising a carbon-carbon composite material.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein each fiber consists of a tape component.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the preform has a density in a range from 1.3 to 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter.
13 . A preform for an electrode, the preform comprising:
a. a plurality of carbon fibers in a length parallel arrangement; wherein
b. each fiber comprises a plurality of carbon sheets juxtaposed to each other in primarily perpendicular line orientation; and
c. the perpendicular line orientation facilitates intercalation.
14 . The preform of claim 13 further comprising an open crystalline material that includes the plurality of fibers.
15 . The preform of claim 14 wherein the material has a density in a range from 1.3 to 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter.
16 . The preform of claim 14 wherein the material comprises a carbon-carbon composite.
17 . The preform of claim 13 wherein each fiber is formed as a tape component having a respective width, the perpendicular line orientation being primarily perpendicular to the width.
18 . The preform of claim 17 wherein:
a. each tape component has a respective longitudinal axis; and
b. the tape components are arranged in the preform so that the longitudinal axes are primarily parallel to each other.
19 . The preform of claim 17 wherein:
a. each tape component has a respective width and a respective thickness less than the width; and
b. the tape components are arranged in the preform so that each respective width faces an active region of a surface of the preform.
20 . An electrode for use in an energy storage cell operative with a provided load, the electrode having an external surface and having a portion of the external surface for use as an active region of the electrode for intercalation of ions, the electrode comprising:
a. a plurality of juxtaposed carbon sheets separated by a distance for intercalation of ions, the plurality arranged primarily parallel to a flow of ions through the active region for at least one of intercalation and deintercalation; and
b. means for transferring energy between the load and the plurality of carbon sheets.