Thin film rechargeable lithium batteries for implantable devices.

Thin films of LiCoO2 have been synthesized in which the strongest x-ray reflection is either weak or missing, indicating a high degree of preferred orientation. Thin film solid state batteries with these textured cathode films can deliver practical capacities at high current densities. For example, for one of the cells, 70% of the maximum capacity between 4.2 and 3 V (approximately 0.2 mAh/cm2) was delivered at a current of 2 mA/cm2. When cycled at rates of 0.1 mA/cm2, the capacity loss was < or = 0.001%/cycle. The reliability and performance of Li-LiCoO2 thin film batteries make them attractive for application in implantable devices such as neural stimulators, pacemakers, and defibrillators.