New Industry Products

Oak Ridge Micro-Energy Produces Thin-Film Li-ion Batteries

February 16, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

Oak Ridge Micro-Energy has announced production of model ORLI0.5.CL thin-film lithium-ion batteries on its first manufacturing line. Batteries also can be produced according to customer specifications on the same line.

Batteries are fabricated on 4.5" x 4.5" x 0.010" ceramic wafers. The photograph shows one wafer with 81 batteries (model ORLI.0.5.CL) after packaging and before dicing. Typically batteries are custom designed to match the requirements of specific applications. The batteries in the photograph are based on a generic design with relatively large contact pads for easy electrical connection and are intended for evaluation by potential customers.

On Feb. 7, 2006, the company was awarded a patent, U.S. 6,994,933, pertaining to a protective coating for thin-film batteries. The company previously announced the issuance of a patent on a thin-film electrolyte, U.S. 6,818,356 (Nov. 16, 2004), and two additional applications on a new thin-film electrolyte and a packaging method for thin-film batteries are currently under review at the USPTO. The company continues to pursue the development of a thin-film battery that can operate above 150 degrees Celsius.

The company also is continuing to improve its manufacturing process for thin-film batteries, and a new section on manufactured batteries has just been added to the company's Web site, According to Mark Meriwether, president and CEO, "The progress made in developing our manufacturing process enhances our ability to find a manufacturing partner for high-volume production and to launch Phase 3 of our business plan.