Low-Cost Doctor Blade Coater With Integrated Process Characterization

MCML Authors

Leah Nuss

→ Group Helge Stein
 Digital Catalysis

Friederike Ganster

→ Group Helge Stein
 Digital Catalysis

Helge Stein

Prof. Dr.

Collaborating PI

Digital Catalysis

Abstract

Laboratory-scale electrode coating is routinely performed without quantitative process control or characterization potential, leaving thickness variations undetected and risking misinterpretation of downstream characterization. Here we present CoCo (Combinatorial Coater), an automated electrode coating platform built on a modified 3D printer at a hardware cost of approximately 200 €, up to 25 times less than commercial semi-automated laboratory coaters. Beyond automating the coating motion, CoCo maps the substrate surface topography before each coating run, applies programmatically defined gap heights and speeds across three deposition modes (uniform, zonal, and gradient), and re-maps the dry electrode surface. This enables spatially resolved thickness characterization and generates a complete processing record for every experiment that can be directly linked to subsequent electrochemical characterization. All hardware design files and firmware are provided as part of an open platform.

article NGS26

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Digital Discovery

5.9. Aug. 2026.

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Authors

L. Nuss • F. Ganster • H. S. Stein

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Links

DOI

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Research Area

 C3 | Physics and Geo Sciences