Reactor for layer deposition by controllable anode array

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022081792-A1
Application number	US-202117534925-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 24, 2021
Priority date	Nov 19, 2015
Publication date	Mar 17, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

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.

First claim

We claim:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
(a) a reactor configured to contain an electrolyte solution; (b) an anode array containing a plurality of independently electrically controllable anodes stationary with respect to one another and the plurality of anodes arranged in a two-dimensional array, the anode array configured to be immersed in the electrolyte solution such that each of the plurality of anodes is in fluid contact with the other anodes in the plurality through the electrolyte solution; (c) a cathode disposed in the reactor such that the cathode is configured to be in fluid contact with the plurality of anodes through the electrolyte solution; (d) an anode addressing circuit for receiving a signal containing anode address data and for outputting a signal causing an anode array pattern; (e) a current controller to control a flow of current to the anode array; and, (e) a second controller 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.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor for measuring an electrical current of at least one of the plurality of anodes, or of the cathode.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor for measuring an electrical voltage of at least one of the plurality of anodes, or of the cathode.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a timer for measuring an amount of time that a current flows between at least one of the plurality of anodes and the cathode.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a system for positioning either the anode array, the cathode, or both, to control a distance between the anode array and the cathode.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the system for positioning is an electro-mechanically controlled system.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of anodes has an exposed surface having a geometric shape chosen from the group consisting of a hexagon, a rectangle, a triangle, a square, or a circle.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of anodes is constructed out of a material resistant to physical depletion through electrolysis.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the anode array is connected electrically to, or disposed upon an integrated circuit, semiconductor, or combination of conductive and insulative elements meant for biasing the plurality of anodes.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of anodes is arranged in rows in the two-dimensional array.

11 . In a reactor including a cathode and an anode array containing a plurality of independently electrically controllable anodes arranged in a two-dimensional array and held stationary with respect to one another, a method comprising:
(a) immersing the anode array and the cathode in an electrolyte solution such that the anode array and the cathode are in fluid contact with each other through the electrolyte solution; (b) according to an anode array pattern signal from an anode addressing circuit, electrically controlling a current flow to each anode of the plurality of anodes in the anode array; and, (c) causing an electrochemical reaction at the cathode that deposits a layer in response to the anode array pattern signal.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising sensing an electrical current of at least one of the plurality of anodes, or of the cathode.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising sensing an electrical voltage of at least one of the plurality of anodes or of the cathode.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising measuring an amount of time during which current flows to (i) at least one of the plurality of anodes, or (ii) the cathode.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising adjusting a position of either the anode array, the cathode, or both, to control a distance between the anode array and the cathode.

16 . The method of claim 15 , where the adjusting is performed by an electro-mechanically controlled system.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the layer to be deposited on the cathode includes depositing at least one material selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, zinc, Zn/Fe/Co/Ni alloys, copper, nickel, tin, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, polypyrrole, silicon, tungsten carbide MMC, PMC, BNNT Reinforced 316L, and SWCNT/Cu matrix.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein an electrical current applied to at least one anode in the anode array is maintained between 0.1 A/dm 2 and 1200 A/dm 2 .

Assignees

• Fabric8Labs Inc

Inventors

• Pain David Forrest
• Wirth David Morgan
• Herman Jeffrey William

Classifications

• B33Y70/00

  Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing · CPC title

• C25D9/02

  with organic materials · CPC title

• B33Y50/02

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title

• C25D1/003 Primary

  3D structures, e.g. superposed patterned layers · CPC title

• C25D3/40

  from cyanide baths {, e.g. with Cu+} · CPC title