Ener1 Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, FL) successfully tested a prototype of its newly developed equipment that can significantly enhance performance characteristics for batteries, fuel cells, and other energy sources. The equipment makes thin and thick films of electrode materials and solid electrolytes using a new production process.
The new Vapor High-Density Vacuum Condensation/Solidification (VHDVCS) process is a special production method for vacuum deposition of electrode materials and solid electrolyte layers with predetermined structural and electrochemical properties. Ener1's tests indicate that its VHDVCS process improves upon existing production methods in terms of efficiency of increased evaporation (up to 100 microns/sec), better adhesion to substrate (order of magnitude higher than thermal evaporation), reduced deviation in film thickness (less then 1%) and reduced surface defects (less than 0.5%).
Ener1 plans to use the VHDVCS process in its development and production of all-solid phase power sources. The company has several issued and pending patents related to this process.
