Batteries and fuel cells
The micro energy source platform concentrates at a single location all the resources needed to design power supply systems for smart cards, sensors, laptop computers and much more. The 1,000 sq. m platform is home to 30 items 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. It leverages technologies, such as thin-layer deposition for batteries, and investigates ways of improving 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 all the way to industrial scale-up. It operates with two major partners: STMicroelectronics for micro batteries measuring thicknesses of around 100 microns and Intelligent Energy for mobile electronic device fuel cell chargers.