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 electrolytes—essential 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