Facilities

The Prototype Development Lab of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEI²) houses the comprehensive start-of-art multilayer ceramic fabrication facilities include 3D-printing, tape casting, screen printing, mechanical test station, and multiple furnaces for fabrication, as well as extensive electrochemical testing capabilities and multiple Ar gloveboxes. The 3D-printer is an nScrypt 3Dn-300 direct-write printer capable of printing any material from 1 to 106 cP with micron resolution over a 30 x 30 cm heated stage (up to 200 °C), multiple print heads, and a laser scanning system for conformal printing. Extensive equipment and facilities for synthesis of solid state electrolyte and electrode materials, multi-layer ceramic fabrication, and electrochemical and electrocatalytic evaluation of materials and device performance. Ceramic processing and fabrication equipment includes a ProCast continuous tape caster and Carver heated lamination press. Environmentally sensitive ceramic processing and wet chemistry can be accomplished using our vacuum gas manifold/Schlenk line. A complete powder synthesis and processing lab, ball mills, a fully automated screen-printer with vision system and feedback control, and a programmable spray coater for precise powder coating applications. Numerous ovens and furnaces with capability of processing up to 1750°C. Electrochemical test equipment includes: computer interfaced potentiostat/impedance analyzers (Solartron and PAR), and temperature-controlled sample holders with shielded leads.

Our battery testing capabilities include a 96 channel Arbin battery testing station with individual cell environmental chamber control and in-line EIS testing capability, which also has the ability to measure individual cell temperature independently of environmental temperature. Further, these are integrated with on-line mass spectrometry in a one of a kind electrocatalytic analysis system. These laboratories also include equipment for thermochemical and thermomechanical analysis, including a TA Instruments thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimeter and a high resolution digital dilatometer.