Very Thin Film Rechargeable Batteries

The objective of this Phase 1 program is to perform research and development on new designs of lithium solid state batteries, specifically lithium polymer electrolyte battery (including novel methods of fabrication) with useful levels of specific power and specific energy, high reliability, very high cycle life and low cost, when compared with presently available lithium batteries. This can be achieved by designing very thin film electrode and electrolyte structures which will overcome kinetic constraints on the specific power, cycling efficiency and capacity utilization. The proposed work addresses surface modifications of the electrode structures preventing dendritic growths and changes in electrode surface area. The results of this investigation will help assess the utility of the very thin film ionically conducting lithium polymer electrolytes and very thin film cathodes in mass manufacture/cost-effective practical batteries.