Configuration SSÕLiÕLiponÕL

Downschematically in Fig. 2a and b. The thin-film battery is fabricated with an initial cell configuration of SS/Lipon/LixV2O5 /Cu ~Fig. 2a!. During the first charging cycle, metallic Li is electroplated in be-tween the Lipon layer and stainless steel ~SS! substrate ~Fig. 2b!. In its initial uncharged configuration with no lithium metal anode present, the battery is no longer restricted to temperatures less than 181°C ~melting point of lithium! for any desired subsequent post processing. Because all the layers are made at room temperature with no post heat-treatment required, temperature sensitive sub-strates such as polymers can be employed. The development of a thin-film lithium battery on flexible substrates could improve the energy storage capacity per unit weight as well as allowing the use of special designs where unusual shapes may be required, e.g., space applications. Generally, the absence of pure lithium metal in the initial fabrication of the device allows for simplicity, flexibility, and cost reduction of the fabrication process. The solid electrolyte ~Lipon! was deposited onto a stainless steelLithium Thin-Film Batter