By CEA Tech
The micro energy source platform brings together at a single location all of the resources necessary to design power supply systems for smart cards, sensors, laptop computers, and more. The 1,000 sq. m platform is home to around 30 pieces of equipment suitable for scaling up these technologies for industrial manufacturing. The platform develops micro batteries and micro fuel cells, with a sharp focus on enhancing materials to improve performance. The platform leverages technologies like thin-layer deposition for batteries and investigates ways to improve fuel-cell catalyst and collector performance and lifespans. The advanced equipment available at the platform includes a five-PVD chamber unit capable of depositing a series of thin layers. The platform can develop processes through to industrial scale-up and works with two major partners, STMicroelectronics on micro batteries measuring around a hundred microns thick, and Intelligent Energy on fuel-cell chargers for mobile electronic devices. R&D AREAS Micro batteries (from a few μWh to 100 mWh) and micro fuel cells (from 5 W to 100 W) NOTABLE EQUIPMENT Around 30 pieces of equipment, including PVD-CVD KEY FIGURES - 1,000 sq. m of clean rooms - 50 engineers and technicians - € 20 million in equipment - 30 patents filed per year LOCATION Leti and Liten (Grenoble)
