There is a $50B battery market worldwide in 2005. Within that market is a place for evolution of next generation devices; of which include thin film Lithium and Lithium Ion batteries. These technologies depend on the further evolution of nanotechnology.
Thin film batteries (TFB) are positioned to become the next generation of lithium batteries for portable electronic applications. Research has showed the chemistry of turning the hazardous liquid lithium ion into a solid, creating the ability to use lithium ion as an ink or particle that in not hazardous.
Results obtained in the laboratory are being translated into commercial products. Thin film solid-state batteries are because the lithium ion that is implemented as a liquid electrolyte in traditional batteries is replaced with a solid form of the chemical. Thin film solid-state batteries are constructed by depositing the components of the battery as thin films (less than 5ƒÊm) on a substrate. The typical structure of a thin
film solid-state battery can be illustrated in a schematic cross section.
A sputtered Lipon electrolyte film covers the cathode and a portion of the substrate up to the anode current collector in order to insulate the substrate from direct contact with the anode. For a thin film lithium battery, a thin layer of lithium metal is thermally evaporated on Lipon as the anode.
For a thin film lithium ion battery, a thin layer of Sn3N4 and other materials (deposited by sputtering of Sn target in N2 environment) is used as the anode. Finally, the battery is sealed. Next-generation, ultra-thin rechargeable batteries are for card-type applications. Nano energy devices are thinner than a piece of paper. When embedded in micro devices it acts as an autonomous power source, enabling new functions. Micro battery devices support the development of next generation self-powered micro systems.
A battery is one of two kinds of electrochemical devices that convert the energy released in a chemical
reaction directly into electrical energy. In a battery, the reactants are stored close together within the battery itself. In a fuel cell the reactants are stored externally. Both thin film batteries and micro fuel cells promise to further evolve during the forecast period.
This conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy is potentially 100% efficient, whereas the conversion of chemical energy to mechanical energy via a thermal conversion (e.g., internal combustion of gasoline in cars) always results in heat transfer losses limiting the intrinsic efficiency.
The effective surface area of an electrode can be increased without increasing its physical size by making its surface porous and using materials with very fine particle size. This can increase the effective surface area of the electrodes by 1000 to 100,000 times enabling higher current rates to be achieved.
In this manner, nanotechnology holds enormous promise for this market. Nanoparticles can be developed that are used to make a surface very porous and increase the effective surface area of the electrodes.
High capacity cells require large volumes of electrolyte that must be accommodated between the electrodes. This has a double effect in reducing the cell power handling
capability. The electrodes must be smaller and further apart to make space for the extra electrolyte and hence they can carry less current. Increased volume of the electrolyte means it takes longer for the chemical actions associated with charging and discharging to propagate completely through the electrolyte to complete the chemical conversion process.
Thin film battery markets in the trial stage in 2005 are anticipated to reach 10 billion units, $11 billion dollars by 2012. The market driving forces are those of wide expansion of portable devices in that time frame. Market development depends on volume capacity. High volume makes the price per unit less to manufacture. With 3.5 billion cell phone users and 67 billion RFID tags per year anticipated in that time frame, it is anticipated that the volumes will be in place to create commercial demand for thin film batteries.
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