Laser direct-write of alkaline microbatteries

We are developing a laser engineering approach to fabricate and optimize various types of alkaline microbatteries. Microbattery cells are produced using a laser forward transfer process that is compatible with the materials required to make the anode, cathode, separator and current collectors. The use of an ultraviolet transfer laser (wavelength = 355 nm, 30 ns FWHM) enables other operations such as surface processing, trimming and micromachining of the transferred materials and substrate and is performed in situ. Such multi-capability for adding, removing and processing material is unique to this direct-write technique and provides the ability to laser pattern complicated structures needed for fabricating complete microbattery assemblies. In this paper, we demonstrate the production of planar zinc-silver oxide alkaline cell by laser direct-write under ambient conditions. The microbattery cells exhibit 1.5-1.6 V open circuit potentials, as expected for the battery chemistry and show flat discharge behavior under constant current loads.