Ilika plc (LON: IKA), the advanced solid-state battery technology company, announced today it has increased, by a factor of three, the volumetric energy density (its highest ever) of its mm-scale Stereax solid-state batteries by introducing wafer-thinning technology into its manufacturing workflow to yield ultra-thin cells.
Ilika’s mm-scale battery, code-named Golden Hind, is designed for miniature medical implants, which account for about 50% of the current commercial opportunities in Ilika’s licensing pipeline. The cells are fabricated on standard semiconductor industry wafers using Ilika’s proprietary vacuum deposition technique. The cells are etched from the materials deposited on the wafer and singulated using standard industry back-end processing techniques. lIika has developed the materials and process technologies to make these cells on its pilot line in Southampton, UK and to align with customer demands.
The latest batteries were thinned using back-end processes common to the semi-conductor industry. This crucial manufacturing step will produce ultra-thin solid-state batteries about 250 um in thickness, which is not much thicker than a postage stamp.
Golden Hind prototypes are currently undergoing parallel evaluation at Ilika’s facility to fully qualify the cells for a product launch in Q2 2019.
Graeme Purdy, Ilika plc CEO, stated:
“This is the latest improvement in the processing of miniature Stereax cells. We are integrating our unique approach to materials deposition with standard semiconductor manufacturing technology to deliver best in class solutions.”
