Low-temperature fabrication of thin-film energy-storage devices

• US 6,962,613 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cymbet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cymbet Corporation
• Inventors: Jenson, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US09/815,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20020001746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,691 Days
• Field of Search: 117/92, 117/103, 117/902, 297/29, 297/30, 296/235, 427/523, 427/529, 427/533, 427/576, 427/577, 429/30, 429/33, 429/218.1, 429/231.8, 429/162, 204/192.22, 204/192.15, 438/238
• US Class Current: 29/623.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/0031 Bombardment of substrates by reactive ion beams
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/0676 Oxynitrides
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/08 Oxides C23C14/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 16/047 using irradiation by energy or particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13306 Circuit arrangements or driving methods for the control of single liquid crystal cells G02F1/132, G02F1/133382 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13324 Circuits comprising solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/08 Structural combinations, e.g. assembly or connection, of hybrid or EDL capacitors with other electric components, at least one hybrid or EDL capacitor being the main component
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/26 characterised by their structure, e.g. multi-layered, porosity or surface features
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/56 Solid electrolytes, e.g. gels; Additives therein
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/49109 outside the semiconductor or solid-state body
• 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 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/09701 Low temperature co-fired ceramic [LTCC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/10253 Silicon [Si]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/12044 OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/073 comprising only AIIBVI compound semiconductors, e.g. CdS/CdTe solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/1828 : the active layers comprising only AIIBVI compounds, e.g. CdS, ZnS, CdTe
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 : Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0472 : Vertically superposed cells with vertically disposed plates
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 : Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 : Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0562 : Solid materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/058 : Construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0585 : of accumulators having only flat construction elements, i.e. flat positive electrodes, flat negative electrodes and flat separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 : Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4264 : with capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 : Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 : with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/00 : Electrochemical current or voltage generators not provided for in groups H01M6/00 - H01M12/00; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/005 : Photoelectrochemical storage cells light sensitive devices H01G9/20, semiconductors sensitive to light H01L31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/021 : Physical characteristics, e.g. porosity, surface area
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1293 : Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/0421 : involving vapour deposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/0423 : Physical vapour deposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/0426 : Sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/1391 : of electrodes based on mixed oxides or hydroxides, or on mixtures of oxides or hydroxides, e.g. LiCoOx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/1393 : of electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/1397 : of electrodes based on inorganic compounds other than oxides or hydroxides, e.g. sulfides, selenides, tellurides, halogenides or LiCoFy
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/382 : Lithium H01M4/405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/405 : Alloys based on lithium
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/483 : for non-aqueous cells H01M4/485 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/581 : Chalcogenides or intercalation compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/5825 : Oxygenated metallic salts or polyanionic structures, e.g. borates, phosphates, silicates, olivines
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/587 : for inserting or intercalating light metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8885 : Sintering or firing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/9016 : Oxides, hydroxides or oxygenated metallic salts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/103 : prismatic or rectangular H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 : adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/403 : Manufacturing processes of separators, membranes or diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/185 : with oxides, hydroxides or oxysalts as solid electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/186 : Only oxysalts-containing solid electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/188 : Processes of manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/40 : Printed batteries , e.g. thin film batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/42 : Grouping of primary cells into batteries H01M6/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1007 : with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1286 : Fuel cells applied on a support, e.g. miniature fuel cells deposited on silica supports
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 : for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/16 : incorporating printed electric components, e.g. printed resistor, capacitor, inductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/543 : Solar cells from Group II-VI materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 : Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 117/902 : Specified orientation, shape, crystallography, or size of seed or substrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 : Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49114 : including adhesively bonding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49115 : including coating or impregnating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 : Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 : Means to assemble electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53135 : Storage cell or battery

Abstract

A method and system for fabricating solid-state energy-storage devices including fabrication films for devices without an anneal step, especially a cathode anneal of thin-film batteries. A film of an energy-storage device is fabricated by depositing a first material layer to a location on a substrate. Energy is supplied directly to the material forming the film. The energy can be in the form of energized ions of a second material. Supplying energy directly to the material and/or the film being deposited assists the growth of the crystalline structure of film. For lithium-ion energy-storage devices, the first material is an intercalation material, which releasably stores lithium ions therein. Supercapacitors and energy-conversion devices are also fabricated according the methods.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating a solid-state energy-storage device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

depositing a first film layer on the substrate by a process that includes simultaneously;

(a) depositing a first material to a location on the substrate, and

(b) supplying energized ions of a second material different than the first material directed towards the first material to supply energy thereto and assisting growth of crystalline structure of the film layer during the deposition of the first material on the substrate;

forming an electrolyte second layer on the first layer; and

forming a third layer on the second layer, wherein providing the substrate includes forming a first contact layer on the substrate that at least partially separates the first layer from the substrate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the substrate includes forming a second contact layer on the substrate separate from the first contact layer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the first layer includes using physical vapor deposition to direct the first material to the location on the substrate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 5 to about 3000 eV.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including O₂.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including N₂.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including a noble gas.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including argon.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including a hydrocarbon precursor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes focusing a beam of the ions at the location on the substrate.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying a non-focused beam of the ions.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 5 eV to about 200 eV.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes controlling stoichiometry of a growing film of first material.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 10 eV to about 500 eV.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 60 eV to about 150 eV.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy of about 140 eV.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein at least the depositing of the first film using chemical vapor deposition to direct the first material toward the substrate.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein at least the forming of the electrolyte second film includes using chemical vapor deposition to direct electrolyte material toward the substrate.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein at least the forming of the third film includes using chemical vapor deposition to direct third film material toward the substrate.

20. The method of claim 1, depositing the first layer includes depositing an intercalation material in the first layer to have a crystal orientation essentially perpendicular to a boundary between the first layer and the second layer;

and wherein forming the third layer includes forming an anode for a thin-film battery.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the electrolyte second layer on the first layer includes depositing a fifth material to a location on the substrate and at least partially in contact with the first layer, and supplying energized ions of a sixth material different than the fifth material to the location on the substrate to form the electrolyte second layer.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the third layer on the electrolyte second layer includes depositing a third material to a second location at least partially in contact with the electrolyte second layer and separate from the first layer, and supplying energized ions of a fourth material different than the third material to the second location to control growth of a crystalline structure of the third material at the location to form the third layer.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying particles of the energized second material simultaneously with the first material but along a path that is not coincident with a path along which the first material travels.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying energized ions to the location on the substrate simultaneously with deposition of the first material.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the substrate includes providing a substrate having a thermal degradation temperature of less than 700 degrees Celsius.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the substrate includes providing a substrate having a thermal degradation temperature of less than about 300 degrees Celsius.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the substrate includes providing a substrate having a thermal degradation temperature of less than about 250 degrees Celsius.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the energized second material includes controlling growth of the first material into a crystalline structure.

29. The method claim 1, wherein the supplying of the energized second material includes supplying energized ions.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a thin-film lithium battery.

31. A method of fabricating a solid-state energy-storage device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

depositing a first film layer on the substrate by a process that includes simultaneously;

(a) depositing a first material to a location on the substrate, and

(b) supplying energized ions of a second material different than the first material directed towards the first material to supply energy thereto and assisting growth of crystalline structure of the film layer during the deposition of the first material on the substrate;

forming an electrolyte second layer on the first layer; and

forming a third layer on the second layer, wherein depositing the first layer includes depositing an intercalation material in the first layer to have a crystal orientation essentially perpendicular to a boundary between the first layer and the second layer, wherein depositing the intercalation first layer includes growing crystallite size of at least about 100 Angstroms.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein depositing the intercalation first layer includes growing crystallite size of at least about 200 Angstroms.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein depositing the intercalation first layer includes growing crystallite size of about 240 Angstroms.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein depositing the intercalation first layer includes depositing a LiCoO₂ material as the first layer.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein depositing the LiCoO₂ intercalation first layer includes depositing the LiCoO₂ intercalation first layer as a cathode layer.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein depositing the first layer includes using physical vapor deposition to direct the first material to the location on the substrate.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 5 to about 3000 eV.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including O₂.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including N₂.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including a noble gas.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including argon.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions from a source gas including a hydrocarbon precursor.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes focusing a beam of the ions at the location on the substrate.

44. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying a non-focused beam of the ions.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 5 eV to about 200 eV.

46. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes controlling stoichiometry of a growing film of first material.

47. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 10 eV to about 500 eV.

48. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy within the range of about 60 eV to about 150 eV.

49. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying ions having an energy of about 140 eV.

50. The method of claim 31, wherein at least the depositing of the first film using chemical vapor deposition to direct the first material toward the substrate.

51. The method of claim 31, wherein at least the forming of the electrolyte second film includes using chemical vapor deposition to direct electrolyte material toward the substrate.

52. The method of claim 31, wherein at least the forming of the third film includes using chemical vapor deposition to direct third film material toward the substrate.

53. The method of claim 31, wherein depositing the first layer includes depositing an intercalation material in the first layer to have a crystal orientation essentially perpendicular to a boundary between the first layer and the second layer.

54. The method of claim 31, wherein forming the electrolyte second layer on the first layer includes depositing a fifth material to a location on the substrate and at least partially in contact with the first layer, and supplying energized ions of a sixth material different than the fifth material to the location on the substrate to form the electrolyte second layer.

55. The method of claim 31, wherein forming the third layer on the electrolyte second layer includes depositing a third material to a second location at least partially in contact with the electrolyte second layer and separate from the first layer, and supplying energized ions of a fourth material different than the third material to the second location to control growth of a crystalline structure of the third material at the location to form the third layer.

56. The method of claim 31, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying particles of the energized second material simultaneously with the first material but along a path that is not coincident with a path along which the first material travels.

57. The method of claim 31, wherein the device is a thin-film lithium battery.

58. A method of fabricating a solid-state energy-storage device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming a seed film on the substrate;

forming a first film on the seed film by;

(a) depositing a first material to a location on the seed film, and

(b) supplying a second material different than the first material adjacent the location to control growth of a crystalline structure of the first material at the location;

forming an electrolyte second film on the first film; and

forming a third film on the electrolyte second film.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein forming the third film includes forming a second seed film on a surface of the electrolyte second film and thereafter forming the third film on the second seed film.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the third film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein forming the second seed film includes depositing an amorphous seed material to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the third film.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the third film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein forming the second seed film includes depositing a nanocrystalline seed material with fine grains to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the third film.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein forming the second seed film includes depositing an electrically conductive seed material.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein depositing seed material includes depositing a seed material comprising one or more of Ta, TaN, Cr, and CrN.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein depositing seed material includes depositing a seed material comprising one or more of, W, WN, Ru, and RuN.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein forming the second seed film includes depositing a seed material having a surface free energy that is higher than a surface free energy of the third film.

66. The method of claim 58, wherein forming the seed film includes depositing a seed material having a surface free energy that is higher than a surface free energy of the first film.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein cryogenically annealing includes first packaging the device prior to cryogenically annealing.

68. The method of claim 58, wherein the first film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein forming the seed film includes depositing an amorphous seed material to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the first film.

69. The method of claim 58, wherein the first film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein forming the seed film includes depositing a nanocrystalline seed material with fine grains to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the first film.

70. The method of claim 58, wherein forming the seed film includes depositing an electrically conductive seed material.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein depositing seed material includes depositing a seed material comprising one or more of Ta, TaN, Cr, and CrN.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein depositing seed material includes depositing a seed material comprising one or more of, W, WN, Ru, and RuN.

73. The method of claim 58, wherein the device is a thin-film lithium battery.

74. A method of fabricating a solid-state energy-storage device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

depositing a first layer on the substrate by;

(a) depositing a first material to a location on the substrate, and

(b) supplying energized particles of a second material different than the first material to the substrate adjacent the location to control growth of a crystalline structure of the first material at the location;

forming an electrolyte second layer on the first layer;

forming a third layer on the electrolyte second layer, and

after performing the above steps, cryogenically annealing the energy-storage device.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein supplying energized particles includes supplying energized ions.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein cryogenically annealing the energy-storage device includes exposing the energy-storage device to liquid nitrogen vapor.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein cryogenically annealing includes lowering the temperature of the energy-storage device to a near cryogenic temperature, then raising the temperature to a near deposition temperature, and then cooling the energy-storage device to an ambient temperature.

78. The method of claim 77, the lowering, raising, and cooling steps are repeated.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the lowering, raising, and cooling steps are repeated less than six times.

80. The method of claim 74, wherein the device is a thin-film lithium battery.

81. A method of fabricating a solid-state energy-storage device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

depositing a first film layer on the substrate by a process that includes simultaneously;

(a) depositing a first material to a location on the substrate, and

(b) supplying energized ions of a second material different than the first material directed towards the first material to supply energy thereto and assisting growth of crystalline structure of the film layer during the deposition of the first material on the substrate;

forming an electrolyte second layer on the first layer; and

forming a third layer on the second layer,

wherein the substrate has a thermal degradation temperature of less than 700 degrees;

wherein the first layer is a first film,

wherein the first material is a first electrode material deposited using a deposition source;

wherein the supplying of the energized second material includes supplying particles energized above about 5 eV from a second source such that the particles provide energy to the first electrode material to deposit the first electrode material into a highly ordered crystal film;

wherein the electrolyte second layer is an electrolyte second film formed so as to be in contact with the first film;

wherein the third layer is a film that includes a second electrode material that includes an intercalation material; and

wherein the substrate is not subjected to a high temperature anneal.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein providing the substrate includes providing a substrate having a seed film thereon.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein supplying the energized second material includes focusing a beam of the ions at the location on the substrate.

84. The method of claim 81, wherein supplying the energized second material includes supplying a non-focused beam of the ions.

85. The method of claim 81, wherein supplying the energized second material includes controlling stoichiometry of a growing film of first material.

86. The method of claim 81, wherein at least the depositing of the first film using chemical vapor deposition to direct the first material toward the substrate.

87. The method of claim 81, wherein at least the forming of the electrolyte second film includes using chemical vapor deposition to direct electrolyte material toward the substrate.

88. The method of claim 81, wherein at least the forming of the third film includes using chemical vapor deposition to direct third film material toward the substrate.

89. The method of claim 81, wherein the device is a thin-film lithium battery.

90. A method of fabricating a solid-state energy-storage device, comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming a seed film on the substrate;

depositing a first film layer on the seed film by a process that includes simultaneously;

(a) depositing a first material to a location on the substrate, and

(b) supplying energized ions of a second material different than the first material directed towards the first material to supply energy thereto and assisting growth of crystalline structure of the film layer during the deposition of the first material on the substrate;

forming an electrolyte second layer on the first layer; and

forming a third layer on the second layer, wherein providing the substrate includes providing a substrate having a first contact layer on the substrate.

91. An apparatus comprising:

means for providing a substrate;

means for forming a first seed film on the substrate;

means for forming a first film on the seed film by;

(a) depositing a first material to a location on the first seed film, and

(b) supplying a second material different than the first material adjacent the location to control growth of a crystalline structure of the first material at the location;

means for forming an electrolyte second film on the first film; and

means for forming a third film on the electrolyte second film.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the means for forming the third film includes means for forming a second seed film on a surface of the electrolyte second film and thereafter forming the third film on the second seed film.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the third film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein the means for forming the second seed film includes means for depositing an amorphous seed material to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the third film.

94. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the third film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein the means for forming the second seed film includes means for depositing a nanocrystalline seed material with fine grains to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the third film.

95. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the means for forming the second seed film includes means for depositing an electrically conductive seed material.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the means for depositing seed material of the second seed film includes means for depositing a seed material comprising one or more of Ta and TaN.

97. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the means for depositing seed material of the second seed film includes means for depositing a seed material comprising one or more of Cr, and CrN.

98. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the means for depositing seed material of the second seed film includes means for depositing a seed material comprising one or more of W and WN.

99. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the means for depositing seed material of the second seed film includes means for depositing a seed material comprising one or more of Ru, and RuN.

100. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the means for forming the seed film includes means for depositing a seed material having a surface free energy that is higher than a surface free energy of the first film.

101. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the first film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein the means for forming the seed film includes means for depositing an amorphous seed material to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the first film.

102. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the first film includes a lithium intercalation material, and wherein the means for forming the seed film includes means for depositing a nanocrystalline seed material with fine grains to diminish undesirable growth structures of the lithium intercalation material of the first film.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the means for depositing seed material of the first seed film includes means for depositing a seed material comprising one or more of Ta, TaN, Cr, and CrN.

104. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the means for depositing seed material of the first seed film includes means for depositing a seed material comprising one or more of W, WN, Ru, and RuN.

105. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the means for forming the first seed film includes means for depositing an electrically conductive seed material.

106. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the device is a thin-film lithium battery.

107. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein means for forming the second seed film includes depositing a seed material having a surface free energy that is higher than a surface free energy of the third film.