Designing the large-format cell
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Would spraying a solvent diluted silicone caulking form a electrolyte resistant gasket surface?
Edit; this was after reading on the Cricut cut silicone sheet. After reading on the electrolyte a bit more, it seems not even silicone is a good gasket material for I3- ???
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Would spraying a solvent diluted silicone caulking form a electrolyte resistant gasket surface?
Edit; this was after reading on the Cricut cut silicone sheet. After reading on the electrolyte a bit more, it seems not even silicone is a good gasket material for I3- ???
@DDM I don't know if this would work. We can try it! The problem would be spreading this evenly enough and making sure it cures properly. While silicone doesn't work well if it is constantly getting put under pressure (like in a peristaltic pump), it does fine as gasketing material. Note that it's not like the material "fails" it just leaks I2 through time because of diffusion, this diffusion also makes the gaskets warp a bit.
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@DDM I don't know if this would work. We can try it! The problem would be spreading this evenly enough and making sure it cures properly. While silicone doesn't work well if it is constantly getting put under pressure (like in a peristaltic pump), it does fine as gasketing material. Note that it's not like the material "fails" it just leaks I2 through time because of diffusion, this diffusion also makes the gaskets warp a bit.
@danielfp248 The evenness of the coating could be achieved by setting up a parameter controlled spraying process, which is not really hard to do and can utilize cheap tools (HVLP spray gun and such).
Alternatively I can see silicone dipping working as well, but that would require some tooling.
I've got experience in developing equipment for commercial application of such silicone coatings, and I think I could add some more consulting/value in this project. Is there a way to have direct contact, I tried finding email addresses on chemisting.com but failed, luckily I found the forum. If this turns out well, I might equip a large yacht with this DIY technology as the main energy storage system, including for it's hybrid diesel/electric propulsion. -
@danielfp248 The evenness of the coating could be achieved by setting up a parameter controlled spraying process, which is not really hard to do and can utilize cheap tools (HVLP spray gun and such).
Alternatively I can see silicone dipping working as well, but that would require some tooling.
I've got experience in developing equipment for commercial application of such silicone coatings, and I think I could add some more consulting/value in this project. Is there a way to have direct contact, I tried finding email addresses on chemisting.com but failed, luckily I found the forum. If this turns out well, I might equip a large yacht with this DIY technology as the main energy storage system, including for it's hybrid diesel/electric propulsion.@DDM Sounds very interesting, if you can give it a try let us know if it works well! A potential problem I see is also the wetting of polypropylene, I don't know how well these silicones wet it, polypropylene is notoriously hard to glue or apply stuff to.
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There is flame activation, and even a combination that deposits silicone oxides: https://www.bohle.com/bx-NL/Pyrosil-Professionele-set/BO5209491
But I'm not sure if that is even needed; the layer will stay stuck for (careful) assembly and perform the sealing duty as it is clamped. Serviceability will be zero, after disassembly the old coating will probably be worthless and a new coating should be applied.
I don't have the materials and setup currently to perform tests.Is there a way to discuss some things directly without filling this forum with a slow-chat?
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@Vorg First we will make sure the design doesn't leak with current silicone gaskets. Once we have that I can send you a message and we can talk a bit more about how it would work with a silicone sealant.
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@Vorg First we will make sure the design doesn't leak with current silicone gaskets. Once we have that I can send you a message and we can talk a bit more about how it would work with a silicone sealant.
@danielfp248 yes, except vorg is another user
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@danielfp248 yes, except vorg is another user
@DDM Lol, sorry, I will message you both.
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I also just got birchwood endplates for the first test of the large scale design. These are 1.8cm thick, so stiff enough to be able to seal the cell in theory. Since there is no chemical contact with the endplate, we shouldn't have any problem using this material. I will get brass current collectors next week - Xometry just shipped them to me - and will then proceed with the first test.
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@danielfp248 congrats! Is this plywood and is there any reason you could not manufacture this using regular woodworking tools, like a table saw and drill press? (Which I fortunately have at home
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@danielfp248 congrats! Is this plywood and is there any reason you could not manufacture this using regular woodworking tools, like a table saw and drill press? (Which I fortunately have at home
@sepi It is not plywood it is birchwood (people who did the laser cutting didn't have plywood). You can manufacture this with normal wood working tools, I don't have any so it was just easier to order it. Important thing is that hole locations are correct and the wood be very flat. You definitely need a planer to achieve that.
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If it's solid wood, there is a high chance that it will warp with changes in temperature and/or humidity. I guess it is some kind of plywood made from birch wood. Plywood is much less prone to warping due to the aforementionned external factors. In the end things might be different since the plates will be under pressure. I'm wondering if a structure a bit similar to what you did for the PLA endplates in the small battery might work. That's off course only if you run into trouble with your current, simple design.
