Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having a polyimide supporting substrate (11), a cathode current collector (13), a lithiated transition metal oxide or transition metal cathode (14), an electrolyte (15), an anode (16) and an anode current collector (17). The polyimide supporting substrate (11) is heated or dehydrated to remove water from therein. The cathode (14) is annealed at a relatively low temperature of approximately 300 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having a supporting substrate (11), a cathode current collector (12), a cathode (13), a solid state electrolyte (14), an anode (15) and an anode current collector (17).

Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having an aluminum cathode current collector (11) having a transition metal sandwiched between two crystallized cathodes (12). Each cathode has an electrolyte (13) deposited thereon which is overlaid with a lithium anode (14). An anode current collector (16) contacts the anode and substantially encases the cathode collector, cathode, electrolyte and anode. An insulator (18) occupies the spaces between the components and the anode current collector.

Abstract: Thin-film vanadium oxide layer that is suitable for use as a cathode in a lithium ion battery or other electronic applications, such as ion insertion layers in electrochromic devices as well as other uses, is deposited by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at room temperature at rates as high as 11 Å/sec. from a vanadium-containing precursor reacted with oxygen and hydrogen. The vanadium oxide-based cathode produced by a lower temperature process and at a high deposition rate, exhibits a high discharge capacity, a high energy density, and a negligible capacity fade fiom its second cycle to at least 2,900 cycles, thus providing enhanced cyclic stability and an improved component for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and other electronic devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing electrolytes having a multi-salt mixture used in electrochemical systems such as lithium ion batteries. The battery system generally includes a cathode, anode and electrolyte cells. The cells prepared with the multi-salt electrolyte, for instance, a mixed lithium/sodium mixed salt electrolyte, exhibit nearly the same capacity as those using pure lithium salt electrolyte. These cells exhibit improved cyclability, smaller internal resistance and better rate capability than those using pure lithium electrolyte. The multi-salt electrolyte is electrochemically stable within a voltage range of about 4.8 to 2.5 V. The mixed Li/Na salt electrolytes provide a cost alternative to a pure lithium salt and enhance the electrochemical properties of lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having an aluminum cathode current collector (11) having a transition metal sandwiched between two crystallized cathodes (12). Each cathode has an electrolyte (13) deposited thereon which is overlaid with a lithium anode (14). An anode current collector (16) contacts the anode and substantially encases the cathode collector, cathode, electrolyte and anode. An insulator (18) occupies the spaces between the components and the anode current collector.

Abstract: A thin film battery having a protective package that provides a heat-resistant, hermetic seal for the thin film battery. A thin film battery includes thin film layers of components such as a cathode current collector, a cathode, an electrolyte, an anode, and an anode current collector built up on a substrate. Layers of dielectric material are positioned over the thin film battery. Suitable dielectric materials include aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, tantalum oxide, diamond, and diamond-like-carbon. The dielectric materials are annealed. A layer of epoxy is positioned completely over all layers of the thin film battery and cured under ultraviolet light. Finally, the epoxy is annealed. The resultant thin film battery has a package that provides protection from the atmosphere, high temperatures, undesirable gases and can withstand processes utilized in the semiconductor and other industries to produce printed circuit boards with surface mounted thin film batteries.

Abstract: The slitting assembly includes a grinding wheel with a wide flat grinding face for first cutting a multilayer sheet of soft and compressible, electronic device material, such as lithium-ion polymer material for a uni-cell battery, to a first depth and includes a cutting wheel with a blade-like edge for completing the slit by cutting through uncut layers of the multilayer sheet. The grinding face has a width of at least the thickness of the multilayer sheet, and in practice, the depth of the cut is preferably one half the sheet thickness, which in a uni-cell battery sheet is midway through a separator layer. The grinding wheel is positioned to apply cutting forces to the multilayer sheet in a direction that is substantially parallel to the feed direction to control the application of compressive forces that may compress the soft sheet material and if uncontrolled, may create short circuits between electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a vanadium oxide film on a substrate utilizing plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The method includes positioning a substrate within a plasma reaction chamber and then forming a precursor gas comprised of a vanadium-containing chloride gas in an inert carrier gas. This precursor gas is then mixed with selected amounts of hydrogen and oxygen and directed into the reaction chamber. The amounts of precursor gas, oxygen and hydrogen are selected to optimize the final properties of the vanadium oxide film An rf plasma is generated within the reaction chamber to chemically react the precursor gas with the hydrogen and the oxygen to cause deposition of a vanadium oxide film on the substrate while the chamber deposition pressure is maintained at about one torr or less. Finally, the byproduct gases are removed from the plasma reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the composition of a solid lithium-ion electrolyte based on the Li.sub.2 O--CeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 system having good transparent characteristics and high ion conductivity suitable for uses in lithium batteries, electrochromic devices and other electrochemical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the composition of a solid lithium-ion electrolyte based on the Li.sub.2 O--CeO.sub.2 --SiO.sub.2 system having good transparent characteristics and high ion conductivity suitable for uses in lithium batteries, electrochromic devices and other electrochemical applications.