July 20, 2017
Keio University
A research group led by Professor Jiwang Yan of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, has achieved a world-first success in forming single-crystal silicon pillars several microns in size. The process involves using waste silicon powder, generated in large quantities during the production of semiconductor devices and solar cells, as the main raw material. After adding binders, conductive agents, and other materials, the mixture is coated onto the surface of a copper foil and then subjected to laser irradiation under specific conditions. This method is expected to offer a new manufacturing process for producing high-capacity, long-life, and low-cost lithium-ion battery anodes, as it can completely mitigate the volume expansion of silicon by controlling the shape, size, tilt angle, and distribution density of the pillars.
Part of this research was published in the online edition of "CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology," the journal of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), on July 8, 2017.
Please see below for the full press release.