Cathode for an electrochemical cell

• US 6,218,049 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1994
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Original Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Inventors: Gruzalski, Greg R., Luck, Christopher F., Dudney, Nancy J., Bates, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maples, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/248,941
• Time in Patent Office: 2,482 Days
• Field of Search: H01/M.1048, 429/218, 429/231.5, 429/218.1, 423/592
• US Class Current: 429/231.5
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/58 Structural electrical arrangements for semiconductor devices not otherwise provided for , e.g. in combination with batteries H01L23/49593, H01L23/49596 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12044 OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/18 with solid electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/40 Printed batteries , e.g. thin film batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49115 including coating or impregnating

Abstract

Described is a thin-film battery, especially a thin-film microbattery, and a method for making same having application as a backup or primary integrated power source for electronic devices. The battery includes a novel electrolyte which is electrochemically stable and does not react with the lithium anode and a novel vanadium oxide cathode. Configured as a microbattery, the battery can be fabricated directly onto a semiconductor chip, onto the semiconductor die or onto any portion of the chip carrier. The battery can be fabricated to any specified size or shape to meet the requirements of a particular application. The battery is fabricated of solid state materials and is capable of operation between −15° C. and 150° C.

Claims

1. A cathode for a thin-film electrochemical cell comprising an amorphous metal-oxide layer having a submicron microstructure.

2. The cathode of claim 1 wherein said submicron microstructure is formed of closely packed submicron size grains of vanadium oxide.

3. The cathode of claim 1 wherein said metal-oxide is VO_x where x is equal to 2.5.