METHOD FOR FABRICATING WIDE AND CONTINUOUS DOUBLE-SIDED LITHIUM METAL ANODES

A method for fabricating wide and continuous double-sided lithium metal anodes includes thermally evaporating lithium to form first and second continuous lithium layers on respective first and second continuous polymer substrates, so as to form respective first and second continuous lithium/polymer sheets. The first and second continuous lithium/polymer sheets are laminated onto respective top and bottom surfaces of a continuous metallic substrate, which may be made of copper, with the first and second continuous lithium layers being disposed in direct contact with the respective top and bottom surfaces to form a continuous polymer/lithium/metal/lithium/polymer structure. The first and second continuous polymer substrates are then removed from the continuous polymer/lithium/metal/lithium/polymer structure to provide a continuous lithium/metal/lithium anode structure. Each of the first and second continuous lithium layers may be at least 200 millimeters wide, and may cover an entire respective width of the respective first and second continuous polymer substrates.