Lithium Ion Battery Technology

EDI works on process development with manufacturers of lithium-ion battery components at their own facilities and in the film and coating process laboratories at EDI's new Technology Center in Chippewa Falls. Among technologies perfected by EDI is a system for simultaneously applying anode or cathode coatings to both sides of a substrate, enabling electrode manufacturers to increase productivity by using a flotation dryer to dry both sides at the same time.

EDI has supplied two types of slot die coating systems for applying liquids or slurries in lithium-ion battery applications. Ultracoat® dies, with adjustable lips, have been used for most anode and cathode coating, including two-sided applications. Liberty® slot dies, with fixed lips, are especially suited for very thin coating, such as applying low viscosity primers to electrode substrates. Both dies are supplied as part of a system, Modular Coating Systems; that includes mechanisms for precise and repeatable positioning of the die with respect to the substrate.

EDI's Contour™ cast film dies are also used for lithium-ion battery applications by companies that produce separator film. The unique shape of Contour Dies results in die-body deflection that is uniform across the width of the die, yielding product that is closer to target gauge throughout its cross section than with standard dies. Separator film is typically only 0.001 to 0.002 in. (25.4 to 50.8 microns) thick. As extruded, it contains plasticizer, which is then driven off to produce micro-pores.