Thin-Film Battery Production Starts at Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge Micro-Energy has started production of model ORLI0.5.CL thin-film lithium-ion batteries on its first manufacturing line. These batteries occupy a space of 0.25 square inches and are 0.62mm (0.024 inches) thick. They can deliver up to 50 micro-amp-hours at about 3.95V.
Batteries also can be produced according customer specifications on the same line. The company continues to develop its manufacturing process for thin-film batteries, and a new section on manufactured batteries has just been added to the company's web site, www.oakridgemicro.com.
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."
On February 7, 2006, the company was awarded a patent, U.S. 6,994,933, pertaining to a protective coating for thin-film batteries. The coating provides a barrier to water vapor and oxygen penetration and gives thin-film batteries a very long operating life.
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 currently are under review at the USPTO. The company continues to pursue the development of a thin-film battery that can operate above 150 ° C.
