On the manufacturing of tailored electrochemical cells using 3-D printing technology: A case study

This work aims to become a methodological approach to the manufacturing of tailored electrochemical cells conceptualized for specific purposes, using the advantages provided by the 3-D printing technology. Through the complete evaluation of a case study, an electrochemically assisted absorption cell ready to remove VOCs, the different stages required to manufacture a prototype are completely addressed including the conceptualization, chemical and mechanical design, manufacturing, and testing of the printed cell. The main challenges tackled include conducting a SWOT analysis to select among different prototype concepts, chemical and mechanical calculations to properly size the device, selection of materials, and implementation of the engineering design into the constraints defined by the printing. Details about cost estimation are also provided by adapting the weightbased cost-estimation procedures used in mechanization companies to the evaluation of the cost of one of these new polymer-based prototypes in in-house applications and, even, to estimate which could be a realistic cost for potential industrial production.