Volumetric micro batteries

• US 6,861,170 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation), TPL Incorporated
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology, Northrop Grumman Corporation, TPL Incorporated
• Inventors: Waypa, John J., Lewis, David H. Jr., Lakeman, Charles D. E., Antonsson, Erik K.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSANG FOSTER, SUSY N
• Application Number:
  US09/948,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20030044664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,273 Days
• Field of Search: 429/27, 429/42, 429/44, 429/127, 429/163
• US Class Current: 429/406
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0472 Vertically superposed cells with vertically disposed plates
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/06 with one metallic and one gaseous electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/244 Zinc electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8605 Porous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/96 Carbon-based electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A microelectronic battery is formed from Zn/Air technology as a volumetric energy storage device from soft lithography techniques. The microelectric battery includes an anode and a cathode disposed in an electrolyte tank having a volume <1 mm³ that is filled with an electrolyte.

Claims

1. A microelectronic battery comprising:

an air cathode;

a zinc anode; and

an electrolyte tank for carrying an electrolyte disposed in communication with said cathode and said anode, wherein said cathode, anode and electrolyte tank form a microelectronic volumetric storage device having a volume <

1 mm³, wherein said cathode is an air cathode and said anode is formed with a Zn electrode forming a microelectronic Zn/Air battery.

2. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 1, wherein said microelectronic battery is formed as a generally cubic device defining a footprint (length (L)×

width (W)) and a height (H).

3. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 2, wherein said L, W and H dimensions are approximately equal.

4. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 1, wherein the cathode includes a first substrate and at least one cathode carried by said substrate.

5. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 4, further including at least one first bond pad for connection to an external electrical circuit, said at least one first bond pad electrically coupled to said at least one cathode.

6. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 4, wherein said first substrate is formed from silicon.

7. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one cathode is formed from a composite device.

8. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 7, wherein said composite includes a Ni electrode with a carbon black/MnO₂/PTFE composite disposed thereupon.

9. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 4, further including a gas permeable membrane formed over said cathode.

10. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 9, wherein said membrane is formed from a carbon black/PTFE composite.

11. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 9, wherein said membrane is formed from a polymeric perfluoroalkylene oxide membrane.

12. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 1, wherein said anode is formed on a second substrate.

13. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 12, wherein said second substrate is glass.

14. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 13, further including at least one second bond pad formed on said second substrate and electrically coupled to said zinc electrode.

15. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte tank is formed from a polymer material.

16. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 15, wherein said polymer material is polyethylene.

17. The microelectronic battery as recited in claim 15, wherein said polymer material is polytetrafluoroethylene.