SUPERLION

Superior Energy and Power Density Li-Ion Microbatteries

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'On-board microbattery power is fast becoming essential in many of today’s emerging technologies. Down-scaling in the micro-electronic industry has far outpaced advances in small-scale electrical power supplies. The absence of on-board power is a hinder to advances in many critical areas: micro-electronic devices and biomedical micro-machines. However, nano-materials and -structures provide new resources to attack the problem. MEMS devices will change our lives completely - given micropower sources. These include microsensor arrays, micro-vehicles, identification cards, memory backup, and biomedical micro-machines (pacemakers, defibrillators, neural stimulators, drug delivery systems). Insufficient power from 2D-MB configurations inspires this search for a 3D-MB using cheap and light micro-/nano-fabrication materials. We also probe whether related techniques can improve the performance of conventional Li-ion batteries. Can multicomponent assembly be replaced by a single interpenetrating nano-architectured anode/cathode element separated by an electrolyte? This would greatly cheapen conventional rechargeable Li-ion batteries for typically EV/HEV applications. Our major objectives are: • Synthesis and fabrication of novel nano-architectured battery materials and MB components. • Implementation in fully integrated thin-film 3D-MBs with current and power densities per unit footprint area of 70-100 μAh and 150-200 μW for 50-100 reversible cycles. • Implementation of at least some of these 3D-MB concepts in conventional normal-scale Li-ion battery fabrication. • 'Proof-of-concept' by showing that some 3D-MB device from the project can power both a MEMS and a medical device. The project thus establishes 3D nano-architectures, micro-/nano-fabrication approaches, and the enabling Science for a whole new generation of microbatteries.'

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The electronics industry is today characterised by ever-smaller and lighter devices. While the down-scaling of electronic components has created a field of its own (microelectronics), absence of similarly down-sized onboard power supplies is inhibiting the development of new products in numerous fields. Given the growing number of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) in the development pipeline, the market is poised for rapid advancement with the delivery of appropriate micro-power supplies.

Scientists initiated the EU-funded 'Superior energy and power density Li-ion microbatteries' (Superlion) project to develop solutions for this bottleneck to progress. Nanomaterials, with interesting functional properties related to their very small scales, offer new resources with which to address the issue. The Superlion team explored synthesis and fabrication of novel nano-structured battery materials and microbattery (MB) components. The goal is to develop three-dimensional microbatteries (3D-MBs) with at least 10 times better energy density per footprint area relative to comparable planar 2D thin-film batteries. In addition, scientists are exploring whether related techniques can improve the performance of conventional Li-ion batteries (LIBs).

Work focused on nanomaterials for electrodes and electrolytes as well as novel process technologies for MB fabrication, leading to the development of rechargeable 3D-MBs for MEMS and medical applications. Numerous advances were related to deposition of electrode materials as controlled films on nano-structured current collectors. Many variations of electrode materials and deposition/manufacturing processes were investigated with good capacity (charge storage) retention over numerous cycles. In particular, manganese oxide (MnO2) half-cells demonstrated capacities up to 200 times greater than that of comparable planar (2D) electrodes. Several 3D-MB cells were developed and fabricated.

An industrial phase was aimed at delivering proof-of-concept. Three test-cell types were chosen for evaluation: a Li iron phosphate (LiFePO4)-based cell, a flexible flat cell and two rechargeable Li-button or Li-coin cells (MC614 and V500). Energy density and size characteristics were particularly promising. With enhanced electrochemical performance, they could be applicable to a wide range of future MEMS and medical devices.

Superlion has made important advances in the development of rechargeable 3D-MBs of direct impact on numerous microelectronic devices including microsensor arrays, identification cards, pacemakers/defibrillators and drug delivery systems. Optimisation of results should facilitate commercialisation.