Rechargeable batteries and methods of making same

Abstract

Systems and methods for rechargeable batteries are provided. In an embodiment, a battery may include a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte solution, and a current collector. The anode may include a 3D porous structure. The 3D porous structure may have a higher electrical conductivity at one end than at the other end, and lithium ions may be dispersed throughout the 3D porous structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anode, comprising:
 an electrically conductive first layer comprising:
 a porous, three-dimensional structure having a first end and a second end; 
 particles comprising a subset of particles that are distributed at a higher concentration toward the first end than the second end such that an electrical conductivity gradient is formed between the first and second ends; and 
   a second layer comprising lithium metal, wherein the second layer is coupled to the first end of the first layer.   
     
     
         2 . The anode of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is configured to couple with a separator and an electrolyte solution. 
     
     
         3 . The anode of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The anode of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises:
 a polymer.   
     
     
         5 . The anode of  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise at least one of copper and nickel and are surface coated with at least one of tin, zinc, argon, bismuth, indium, gallium, aluminum, nitrogen, phosphorous, silicon, and germanium. 
     
     
         6 . The anode of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are doped with at least one of:
 tin, zinc, argon, bismuth, indium, gallium, aluminum, nitrogen, phosphorous, silicon, germanium.   
     
     
         7 . The anode of  claim 1 , further comprising a metal current collector, wherein the current collector comprises at least one of copper, nickel, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         8 . The anode of  claim 1 , further comprising a metal current collector, wherein the current collector comprises at least one of copper, nickel, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         9 . The anode of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises pure metallic lithium. 
     
     
         10 . The anode of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a porosity between 60 percent and 90 percent. 
     
     
         11 . The anode of  claim 1 , further comprising a third layer, the third layer being a metal current collector comprising at least one of copper, nickel and stainless steel, and wherein the third layer is coupled to the second layer. 
     
     
         12 . A battery, comprising:
 an anode, comprising:
 an electrically conductive first layer comprising:
 a porous, three-dimensional structure having a first end and a second end; 
 particles comprising a subset of particles, said subset having a high electrical conductivity that are distributed at a higher concentration toward the first end than the second end; and 
 
 a second layer comprising lithium metal, wherein the second layer is coupled to the first end of the first layer. 
   
     
     
         13 . The battery of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a cathode located in closer proximity to the second end than to the first end;   a separator; and   an electrolyte;   wherein the separator and electrolyte are located in between the cathode and the anode.   
     
     
         14 . The battery of  claim 12 , wherein the first layer of the anode is electrically conductive and comprises a higher electrical conductivity toward the first end than the second end. 
     
     
         15 . The battery of  claim 14 , wherein the first layer of the anode comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The battery of  claim 14 , wherein the first layer of the anode comprises:
 a polymer; and   particles comprising at least one of carbon and metal, wherein the particles comprise particles with high electronic conductivity that are distributed at a higher concentration toward the first end than at the second end.   
     
     
         17 . The battery of  claim 16 , wherein the particles in the anode are carbon particles and are doped with at least one of:
 tin, zinc, argon, bismuth, indium, gallium, aluminum, nitrogen, phosphorous, silicon, germanium.   
     
     
         18 . The battery of  claim 16 , wherein the particles in the anode are metal particles and are surface coated with at least one of:
 tin, zinc, argon, bismuth, indium, gallium, aluminum, nitrogen, phosphorous, silicon, germanium.   
     
     
         19 . The battery of  claim 17 , further comprising a metal current collector coupled to the second layer of the anode, wherein the current collector comprises at least one of copper, nickel, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         20 . The battery of  claim 16 , further comprising a third layer of metal current collector coupled to the second layer of the anode, wherein the current collector comprises at least one of copper, nickel, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         21 . The battery of  claim 16 , wherein the second layer of the anode comprises pure metallic lithium. 
     
     
         22 . The battery of  claim 16 , wherein the first layer of the anode comprises a porosity between 60 percent and 90 percent. 
     
     
         23 . The battery of  claim 14 , wherein the anode is further comprised of a third layer, the third layer being a metal current collector coupled to the second layer, and wherein the current collector comprises at least one of copper, nickel, and stainless steel.