Seven Generational Ruminations

Oak Ridge Micro-Energy, Inc. develops and produces custom designed thin film lithium and lithium-ion batteries that are ideally suited for a variety of applications where a small power source is needed. These batteries can be fabricated on a variety of substrates as well as onto chips, chip carriers or multi-chip module packages. By using the available space on a ceramic package or a silicon die, the battery can provide the required power while occupying otherwise wasted space and adding negligible mass.

The range of possible applications of these batteries derives from their important advantages compared to conventional battery technologies: (1) Because of their all solid-state construction, the batteries are completely safe under all operating conditions. (2) They can be made in any shape and size to meet the requirements of each application, and unlike many conventional batteries, the cost of thin-film batteries decreases as their size decreases. (3) Lithium-ion thin-film batteries can be heated to 280 C with no degradation in performance. This means they can be added to integrated circuits using the solder reflow process. (4) The batteries are rechargeable which means they can be significantly smaller than primary or non-rechargeable batteries for the same applications.

Excellatron Solid State, LLC, a U.S. based technology company, is introducing innovative and enabling energy storage technology. The batteries made possible by this new proprietary technology can be used in many applications and processes where other batteries would be inadequate. With this capability, a new world of possibilities opens up for the use of power stored in Excellatron batteries. Excellatron's technology will be the choice of power for high performance batteries in the future. Characteristics of Excellatron batteries include: Safety, High Temperature Capability, Long Cycle Life, Thin Flexible Profile, Unique Proprietary Passivation Barrier and Packaging Solution, High Rate Capability.

Cymbet™ Corporation (Cymbet™) is the first to market a true solid state energy system using a proprietary, patent pending "POWER FAB™" low temperature manufacturing process. The Cymbet™ thin-film battery system will enable new concepts in battery application for IC's and new products for handheld computer, communication, medical, sensor, and portable electronic devices. Cymbet™ batteries can be integrated directly within IC's or built into the electronics they power. This enabling technology uniquely combines existing deposition techniques with high energy solid state battery technology to produce a simple, competitive thin-film battery and process that has immediate application and payback.

They are a privately-held venture backed technology company headquartered near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado, and claim to be the global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing thin film batteries (TFB) for micro-electronic applications. These flexible, rechargeable, solid-state lithium batteries, offered under the LiTE*STAR™ brand, are unrivaled in thinness, re-chargeability, and power performance, and operate over extreme temperature conditions. The LiTE*STAR TFBs can be easily recharged in a few seconds to a few minutes, and can be combined with energy harvesting devices to provide miniature, unlimited power, enabling applications such as active RFID tags, Smart Cards, implantable medical devices, wireless sensors, and a plethora of other commercial and military applications.