A rechargeable alkali metal battery comprising: (a) an anode comprising an alkali metal layer and a dendrite penetration-resistant layer comprising an amorphous carbon or polymeric carbon matrix, an optional carbon or graphite reinforcement phase dispersed in this matrix, and a lithium- or sodium-containing species that are chemically bonded to the matrix and/or the optional carbon or graphite reinforcement to form an integral layer that prevents dendrite penetration, wherein the lithium- or sodium-containing species is selected from Li.sub.2CO.sub.3, Li.sub.2O, Li.sub.2C.sub.2O.sub.4, LiOH, LiX, ROCO.sub.2Li, HCOLi, ROLi, (ROCO.sub.2Li).sub.2, (CH.sub.2OCO.sub.2Li).sub.2, Li.sub.2S, Li.sub.xSO.sub.y, Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, Na.sub.2O, Na.sub.2C.sub.2O.sub.4, NaOH, NaiX, ROCO.sub.2Na, HCONa, RONa, (ROCO.sub.2Na).sub.2, (CH.sub.2OCO.sub.2Na).sub.2, Na.sub.2S, Na.sub.xSO.sub.y, or a combination thereof, wherein X═F, Cl, I, or Br, R=a hydrocarbon group, x=0-1, y=1-4; (b) a cathode; and (c) a separator and electrolyte component; wherein the dendrite penetration-resistant layer is disposed between the alkali metal layer and the separator.

According to general aspects, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a special mask design that not only increases the ionic conductivity of a deposited LiPON layer but also increases device yield by reducing damage to the deposited layer from RF plasma. In embodiments, the mask includes a conductive bottom surface facing the substrate during deposition and a non-conductive opposite top side. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the conductive portion of the mask at the bottom side allows the formation of a weak secondary local plasma (or greater plasma immersion) to enhance nitrogen incorporation into the LiPON film. The non-conductive top side suppresses local micro-arcing, which will limit the plasma induced damage to the growing film.

A method for using an integrated battery and device structure includes using two or more stacked electrochemical cells integrated with each other formed overlying a surface of a substrate. The two or more stacked electrochemical cells include related two or more different electrochemistries with one or more devices formed using one or more sequential deposition processes. The one or more devices are integrated with the two or more stacked electrochemical cells to form the integrated battery and device structure as a unified structure overlying the surface of the substrate. The one or more stacked electrochemical cells and the one or more devices are integrated as the unified structure using the one or more sequential deposition processes. The integrated battery and device structure is configured such that the two or more stacked electrochemical cells and one or more devices are in electrical, chemical, and thermal conduction with each other.

A porous thin film battery is described herein. The battery includes a substrate, a porous thin film cathode formed on the substrate, an electrolyte layer formed on the porous thin film cathode and a porous thin film anode formed on the electrolyte layer. The porous thin film cathode includes a first set of pores initially filled with a quantity of a first polymer material and then the first polymer material is removed to form the first set of pores. The porous thin film anode includes a second set of pores initially filled with a third polymer material and then the third polymer material is removed to form the second set of pores. A method of forming the porous thin film battery is also described. A system for forming the porous thin film battery is also described.

A method of manufacturing a component for a reference electrode assembly according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a separator having first and second opposing surfaces. The method further includes sputtering a first current collector layer to the first surface via magnetron or ion beam sputtering deposition. A porosity of the separator is substantially unchanged by the sputtering. In one aspect, the method further includes sputtering a second current collector layer to the second surface via magnetron or ion beam sputtering deposition. In one aspect, the first current collector layer includes nickel and defines a first thickness of greater than or equal to about 200 nm to less than or equal to about 300 nm and the second current collector layer includes gold and defines a second thickness of greater than or equal to about 25 nm to less than or equal to about 100 nm.

A thin film battery may comprise: a substrate comprising a substrate surface; a first current collector (FCC) layer formed on the substrate surface, the FCC layer having a first FCC surface and a second FCC surface and wherein the first FCC surface is in contact with the substrate and the second FCC surface is a first three-dimensional surface; a first electrode layer deposited on the first current collector, and an electrolyte layer deposited on the first electrode layer; wherein the interface between the first electrode layer and the electrolyte layer is a second three-dimensional surface roughly in conformity with the first three-dimensional surface. In embodiments, the substrate surface is a third three-dimensional surface and the first three-dimensional surface is roughly in conformity with the third three-dimensional surface. One of the first or the third three-dimensional surfaces may be formed by a laser ablation patterning process.

A layer combination for an electrode can be used in rechargeable electrochemical cells. The rechargeable electrochemical cells are in the form of lithium batteries, e.g. a lithium-sulfur battery or a lithium-oxygen battery. The layer combination includes at least one superhydrophobic, nanostructured protective layer which repels polar substances.

A composite electrode includes a sheet of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and an electrically conductive metal. The sheet of CNTs include a surface region where carbon atoms are available. The metal is chemically bonded to at least a portion of the carbon atoms whereby a metal carbide is defined.

A lithium cobalt oxide sintered body having a bending strength of 100 MPa or more, and a sputtering target formed using the sintered body are provided. In particular, a cylindrical sputtering target for use in rotary sputtering is provided. The sputtering target is useful in forming a cathode material thin film in an all-solid thin film lithium ion secondary battery for use in vehicles, telecommunication equipment and household equipment.

A Li—S battery including a cathode and an anode and at least one of a lithium-containing liquid electrolyte, gel electrolyte, and solid electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The cathode includes at least one of an electrically conductive carbon material, an electrochemically active cathode material that comprises sulphur, and at least partially fibrillar plastic material. The anode includes a conducting substrate which is coated at least in regions with at least one of silicon and tin. A method for operation thereof.