METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING LITHIUM ION BATTERY ELECTRODES

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for making a lithium-ion electrochemical cell component by advancing a substrate for a lithium ion cell between opposing first and second calendering rolls, depositing by atmospheric plasma deposition particles of electrode material comprising an active electrode material and a metal into a gap between a first side of the substrate and the first calendering roll, wherein the metal is surface-activated by the atmospheric plasma; and pressing the deposited particles of the active electrode material and the metal particles between the first and second calendering rolls into an electrode layer on the first side of the substrate. The apparatus includes a pair of opposing calendering rolls, a path for advancing the substrate between the calendering rolls, and at least one atmospheric plasma deposition device connected to a supply of the particles of the electrode material positioned to deposit particles of the electrode material into the gap between the substrate and one of the pair of opposing calendering rolls.