These improvements will not only allow designers to create lighter and better mobile devices but also open up new applications in fields as diverse as implantable medical devices, drones, wearable electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT). Future application can be also extended for e-mobility (e.g. e-scooters, e-bikes), autonomous sensors and energy harvesting technologies.
Thin film solid state batteries are known from few rare applications; however they are not available for wider use due to their high unit cost. Our innovative technology of evaporation enhanced by high density plasma TFB can be manufactured efficiently at much lower price.
The solid state batteries can expand from niche to mass market and in the future could substitute Li-Ion batteries thanks to their advantages in crucial properties like charge time, longevity, energy density and operability in wide temperature band. A TFB battery can substitute 5 or 10 conventional batteries due to higher number of charge cycles and larger capacity.
The thin film battery market, in other words, is huge – Zion Market Research estimated that the global market for rechargeable Li-ion batteries was ~26bn in 2016, forecasted to grow at a 13.7% CAGR to €56.4bn by early 2023. The main driver for this growth is the increasing demand for consumer electronics—smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, media players and consumer drones.
New patent, new factory
While basic TFB technology is not new, until now it has been far too expensive for most applications, particularly for larger batteries. The Batteries, however, has developed and patented a new manufacturing process based on high density plasma in enclosed and protected environment, until now considered unsuitable for mass production.
The core innovation was introduced by our in-depth knowledge of the thin film applications. Between engineers and scientists from our team, The Batteries company has over 20 years’ experience in providing engineering consulting for major players in the mobile devices market. Their knowledge of surface chemistry, physics and thin film applications resulted in delivering hi-tech equipment for serial production of touch screens for premium smartphones.
The first step in commercializing the technology was supported by an equity investment from Ingenium Poland. In the R&D phase the team is creating working prototypes of both the manufacturing equipment and an advanced battery cell. Once proven, a pilot production plant will follow, delivering a first generation of batteries for the smartphones, wearable electronics and IoT markets. This will prove the advantages of the technology as well as capabilities of the manufacturing method will eventually lead to opening up new application for the TFB.
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Comparison between current Li-Ion and TBF.
Overview of a thin film cell