![A thin-film Li-LiCoO2 battery](images/7.jpg) |
A
thin-film Li-LiCoO2 battery was
fabricated onto the back side
of the ceramic package of a multichip
module. Contact with the circuit
on the front side was made by
depositing the cathode and anode
current collectors over gold-plated
through-holes. The battery was
designed to supply 150 µAh between
4.2 and 3.8 V at a low current. |
Lithium batteries, which offer both
high energy-storage capacity and an
environmentally benign alternative
to the harmful lead used in conventional
batteries, are based on research supported
by the Office of Science and its predecessors.
An early innovation was the development
of organic solid electrolytesessential
because traditional water-based electrolytes
could react with metals such as lithium
to cause an explosion. (A battery
consists of positive and negative
electrodes separated by an electrolyte,
through which ions, or charged atoms,
flow.) Charles Tobias at Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory led the
search for nonaqueous solutions from
which reactive metals, such as lithium
(then used in fusion-type nuclear
weapons), could be electrolytically
deposited. He focused on cylic esters,
including propylene carbonate, which
today is used extensively in battery
technology. The pioneering research
included the purification of solvents
to dissolve the electrolyte, solubility
and conductivity measurements, and
decomposition and electrodeposition
tests. The Office of Science currently
supports research on ion transport
in solid polymer and glassy electrolyte
systems, helping to lay the groundwork
for the next generation of highly
efficient and environmentally friendly
batteries and fuel cells.
Scientific Impact:
Tobias is widely regarded as the father
of electrochemical engineering because
he introduced scientific methods into
a field formerly characterized by
trial and error. His initial characterization
of nonaqueous electrolytes, and demonstration
that reactive metals could be electrodeposited
from them, spawned a new field of
battery research.
Social Impact: Lithium
batteries are widely used in both
consumer and defense applications,
such as cellular telephones and notebook
computers, but such batteries remain
expensive. DOE applied research programs
are developing new and less costly
versions of rechargeable lithium batteries
for use in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Reference: Dudney
NJ, Bates JB, Lubben D, "Thin-Film
Rechargeable Lithium Batteries," in
Role of Ceramics in Advanced Electrochemical
Systems. American Ceramic Society,
1996 p. 113.
URL: http://www.ssd.ornl.gov/Programs/BatteryWeb/index.htm
http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/lbl-battery-program-history.html
Technical Contact:
Don Freeburn, Office of Basic Energy
Sciences, 301-903-3156
Press Contact: Jeff
Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs,
202-586-5806
SC-Funding Office:
Office of Basic Energy Sciences |