C25D5/04

Using target maps for current density control in electrochemical-additive manufacturing systems

Described herein are electrochemical-additive manufacturing methods and systems using such methods. A method comprises depositing a material onto a deposition electrode by flowing a current between that deposition electrode and each of multiple individually-addressable electrodes, forming an electrode array. These currents are independently controlled based on a target map and using deposition control circuits, each coupled to one individually-addressable electrode. The target map is generated by a system controller based on various characteristics of the system (e.g., the performance of each deposition control circuit and/or individually-addressable electrode, electrolyte composition) and the desired characteristics of the deposited material (e.g., deposition location, uniformity, morphology). Furthermore, when the deposition electrode and the electrode array move relative to each other, the system controller dynamically updates the target map based on their relative positions. This movement can provide a fresh electrolyte between the electrodes and enable deposition at new locations.

Electrochemical three-dimensional printing and soldering

A hydrogen evolution assisted electroplating nozzle includes a nozzle tip configured to interface with a portion of a substructure. The nozzle also includes an inner coaxial tube connected to a reservoir containing an electrolyte and an anode, the inner coaxial tube configured to dispense the electrolyte through the nozzle tip onto the portion of the substructure. The nozzle also includes an outer coaxial tube encompassing the inner coaxial tube, the outer coaxial tube configured to extract the electrolyte from the portion of the substructure. The nozzle also includes at least one contact pin configured to make electrical contact with a conductive track on the substrate.

Electrochemical three-dimensional printing and soldering

A hydrogen evolution assisted electroplating nozzle includes a nozzle tip configured to interface with a portion of a substructure. The nozzle also includes an inner coaxial tube connected to a reservoir containing an electrolyte and an anode, the inner coaxial tube configured to dispense the electrolyte through the nozzle tip onto the portion of the substructure. The nozzle also includes an outer coaxial tube encompassing the inner coaxial tube, the outer coaxial tube configured to extract the electrolyte from the portion of the substructure. The nozzle also includes at least one contact pin configured to make electrical contact with a conductive track on the substrate.

Making multi-component structures using dynamic menisci
11795562 · 2023-10-24 · ·

A solution for making multi-component structures (145) is proposed. A corresponding method comprises delivering a plurality of galvanic solutions (115) at least in part different from each other through corresponding delivering ports (110) and removing the galvanic solutions (115) being delivered through a plurality of removing ports (120) thereby creating corresponding dynamic drops (125). Corresponding deposition currents (Ia-Id) are set individually for the galvanic solutions (115) as a function of an amount of the components of the galvanic solutions (115) in the multi-component structure (145). The substrate (130) and the dynamic drops (125) are brought into contact with each other in succession, thereby transforming the dynamic drops (125) into corresponding dynamic menisci (135a-135d) that galvanically deposit layers (140a-140d) of the corresponding components of the multi-component structure (145) onto the substrate (130). A corresponding deposition system (600; 700) is also proposed.

Making multi-component structures using dynamic menisci
11795562 · 2023-10-24 · ·

A solution for making multi-component structures (145) is proposed. A corresponding method comprises delivering a plurality of galvanic solutions (115) at least in part different from each other through corresponding delivering ports (110) and removing the galvanic solutions (115) being delivered through a plurality of removing ports (120) thereby creating corresponding dynamic drops (125). Corresponding deposition currents (Ia-Id) are set individually for the galvanic solutions (115) as a function of an amount of the components of the galvanic solutions (115) in the multi-component structure (145). The substrate (130) and the dynamic drops (125) are brought into contact with each other in succession, thereby transforming the dynamic drops (125) into corresponding dynamic menisci (135a-135d) that galvanically deposit layers (140a-140d) of the corresponding components of the multi-component structure (145) onto the substrate (130). A corresponding deposition system (600; 700) is also proposed.

Film forming apparatus for forming metal film
11459667 · 2022-10-04 · ·

Provided is a metal film forming apparatus capable of forming a uniform metal film on a surface of a substrate by uniformly pressurizing an electrolyte membrane against the surface of the substrate. The film forming apparatus includes first and second film forming units, a coupling portion that couples the first and second film forming units together, a pressure device including a pressure unit that pressurizes substrates with electrolyte membranes of the respective film forming units via the coupling portion, and a power supply unit adapted to apply a voltage across each anode and each substrate. The film forming units are coupled to the coupling portion via their respective first elastic bodies that elastically deform in the pressurization direction of the pressure unit.

Reactor for layer deposition by controllable anode array

An apparatus and method for electrochemically depositing a layer using a reactor configured to contain an electrolyte solution with an anode array containing a plurality of independently electrically controllable anodes arranged in a two-dimensional array, a cathode, an addressing circuit for receiving a signal containing anode address data, and for outputting a signal causing an anode array pattern; in communication with the addressing circuit, the current controller and the anode array, the second controller operable to communicate with the current controller to command the flow of current to each anode in the anode array thereby causing an electrochemical reaction at the cathode to deposit a layer corresponding to the anode array pattern signal received from the addressing circuit.

Reactor for layer deposition by controllable anode array

An apparatus and method for electrochemically depositing a layer using a reactor configured to contain an electrolyte solution with an anode array containing a plurality of independently electrically controllable anodes arranged in a two-dimensional array, a cathode, an addressing circuit for receiving a signal containing anode address data, and for outputting a signal causing an anode array pattern; in communication with the addressing circuit, the current controller and the anode array, the second controller operable to communicate with the current controller to command the flow of current to each anode in the anode array thereby causing an electrochemical reaction at the cathode to deposit a layer corresponding to the anode array pattern signal received from the addressing circuit.

REACTOR FOR LAYER DEPOSITION BY CONTROLLABLE ANODE ARRAY

An apparatus and method for electrochemically depositing a layer using a reactor configured to contain an electrolyte solution with an anode array containing a plurality of independently electrically controllable anodes arranged in a two-dimensional array, a cathode, an addressing circuit for receiving a signal containing anode address data, and for outputting a signal causing an anode array pattern; in communication with the addressing circuit, the current controller and the anode array, the second controller operable to communicate with the current controller to command the flow of current to each anode in the anode array thereby causing an electrochemical reaction at the cathode to deposit a layer corresponding to the anode array pattern signal received from the addressing circuit.

REACTOR FOR LAYER DEPOSITION BY CONTROLLABLE ANODE ARRAY

An apparatus and method for electrochemically depositing a layer using a reactor configured to contain an electrolyte solution with an anode array containing a plurality of independently electrically controllable anodes arranged in a two-dimensional array, a cathode, an addressing circuit for receiving a signal containing anode address data, and for outputting a signal causing an anode array pattern; in communication with the addressing circuit, the current controller and the anode array, the second controller operable to communicate with the current controller to command the flow of current to each anode in the anode array thereby causing an electrochemical reaction at the cathode to deposit a layer corresponding to the anode array pattern signal received from the addressing circuit.