US Patent 11342563 Three-dimensional soft electrode for lithium metal batteries

An electrode includes a soft substrate, a metal layer in direct contact with the soft substrate, and a lithium layer formed directly on the metal layer, wherein the metal layer comprises wrinkles. The wrinkles are of a substantially uniform height, and the height is in a range of 100 nm to 20 μm. The wrinkles are typically separated by a substantially uniform distance, and the distance is in a range of 100 nm to 1000 μm. The wrinkles may be one dimensional or two dimensional. Fabricating an electrode includes forming a metal layer on a soft substrate, and forming a lithium layer on the metal layer. Forming the lithium layer on the metal layer yields uniform wrinkles in the metal layer. A battery may include the electrode as described.