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energy density, 3x cycling lifespan, superior safety compared to lithium-ion
coin cells
- First product design taped out based on customer requirements
- Technology evaluation agreements signed with customers and partners
- Process enhancements in development to increase energy density up to 600 Wh/L
- Key executive hires support roll-to-roll scale-up and go-to-market activity
Thin Film Electronics ASA (âThinfilmâ or the âCompanyâ), a developer of
ultrathin, flexible, and safe energy storage solutions for wearable devices and
connected sensors, today unveiled the next phase of its strategy to support the
commercialization of the Companyâs premium microbattery products based on solid-
state lithium battery (âSSLBâ) technology.
To support the microbattery needs of its target markets, Thinfilm has launched
development of its innovative product platform based on the Companyâs core SSLB
technology and has completed the design of the first product optimized for its
initial target markets. This microbattery product, optimized for form-factor-
constrained applications such as hearing aids, earbuds, and wearable medical
devices, prioritizes market requirements validated in a series of substantive
business and technical conversations with market leading OEMs. The Company
targets initial revenue shipments based on this product platform, combining
Thinfilm innovations in battery cell design and fabrication with novel packaging
techniques, by the end of 2021.
The Company can now announce that Thinfilmâs go-to-market initiatives have
resulted in signed technology evaluation agreements with potential customers and
partners. As the Company proceeds toward commercialization and scale-up of its
SSLB technology, leveraging its existing roll-to-roll facility, it has
prioritized those engagements with the greatest potential to leverage the energy
density, form factor, and cycling advantages of the core product platform. In
parallel, the Companyâs go-to-market team is engaging global market leaders in
additional categories, such as wearables and defense, where Thinfilm SSLB
advantages address the limitations of legacy battery technologies.
Thinfilmâs premier ultrathin microbattery is enabled by the Companyâs enhanced
SSLB product platform. The Companyâs technologists have continued to optimize
the core SSLB technology platform, including processes, materials, and tools, to
target leading microbattery energy densities up to 600 Watt-hours per liter and
cycling performance in excess of 1000 charge-discharge cycles. By delivering
double the volumetric energy density of legacy lithium-ion coin and button
cells, Thinfilm SSLB products could occupy 50% less space and enable thinner,
more comfortable hearables and other wearable devices. In addition, the expected
rating of 1000 charge/discharge cycles - compared to 300-400 cycles achieved by
common lithium-ion devices - means Thinfilm-enabled products could enable
overnight charging of hearing aids, earbuds, and other daily-use items over the
multi-year lifetimes required to both satisfy demanding consumers and minimize
warranty repair costs due to premature battery failure. Furthermore, to address
the safety expectations of consumers, manufacturers, and regulators -
particularly for on-body wearable and medical electronics - Thinfilm SSLB
technology practically eliminates two major safety risks associated with common
lithium rechargeable batteries: thermal runaway, which can lead to excessive
heat, fire, and even explosion; and electrolyte leakage, which can lead to toxic
chemicals contacting human skin.
To support the commercialization of Thinfilm SSLB technology, Thinfilm announced
the hiring of two battery industry experts:
Louis Golato joins Thinfilm as vice president, operations and will lead
manufacturing scale-up activities related to roll-based solid-state lithium
battery manufacturing. Thinfilmâs roll-to-roll production capability in San
Jose, California is unique in the SSLB industry and is essential to achieving
manufacturing scale in support of the Companyâs target applications. Golato
brings decades of experience leading factory ramp-up and manufacturing
operations in the energy storage and semiconductor industries. Most recently, he
served as vice president, manufacturing and operations at grid-scale energy
storage company VionX Energy and previously served in executive roles at Stion
Corporation and A123 Systems, where he was responsible for launching multiple
lithium-ion battery factories worldwide.
Tim Powers joins Thinfilm as senior director, applications engineering and
business development and will lead the Companyâs customer engagement,
qualification, and support initiatives. Powers brings years of direct experience
in Thinfilm target markets and will apply his expertise to all aspects of the
Companyâs go-to-market activities. Previously, as vice president, business
development and director, applications engineering at ZPower, Powers led
customer engagement and design-in activities for novel rechargeable
microbatteries, resulting in pioneering design wins and rapid revenue growth in
the hearables and medical device industries.
âThinfilm warmly welcomes Louis and Tim, both highly experienced battery
experts, to our team as we launch our ultrathin SSLB product platform, announce
our initial product design optimized for hearables, and accelerate our roll-to-
roll scale-up activities,â said Kevin Barber, CEO of Thinfilm. âBased on our
steady pace of technological and manufacturing achievements, Thinfilm is excited
to broaden and deepen evaluations of our SSLB product platform and first product
with leading global brands and innovative startups who can use our unique
technology to develop the next generation of wearable devices and connected
sensors.â
Although some development has taken longer than initially expected, Thinfilm has
made considerable technical progress as a result of parallel innovation in all
areas of battery development, including design, fabrication, and packaging.
Cell-level testing has met expectations on key battery parameters, including ion
conductivity and core energy density. In addition, backend process development
activities, encompassing both cell stacking and package encapsulation, have
resulted in innovative concepts designed to maximize energy density and maintain
reliability within ultracompact footprints.
Based on the breadth and quality of customer input received in its engagements,
the Company will now shift focus from building general technology evaluation
samples to developing specific products based on the technology platform
announced today. With core technical and market building blocks in place,
process optimization will continue throughout product platform development, with
emphasis on cycle life consistency, increased energy density, and enhanced
manufacturability necessary for production. Furthermore, the Companyâs
operations team has begun executing plans to bring up its roll-to-roll tools,
transfer process technology from the Companyâs sheet-based production line, and
qualify initial roll-based SSLB products in preparation for volume delivery of
batteries to customers and partners later this year and into 2022.
Thinfilm is Energizing Innovationâą with ultrathin, flexible, and safe energy
storage solutions for wearable devices, connected sensors, and beyond.
Thinfilmâs innovative solid-state lithium battery (SSLB) technology is uniquely
positioned to enable the production of powerful, lightweight, and cost-effective
rechargeable batteries for diverse applications. The companyâs state-of-the-art
flexible electronics manufacturing facility, located in the heart of Silicon
Valley, combines patented process technology and materials innovation with the
scale of roll-to-roll production methods to bring the advantages of SSLB
technology to established and expanding markets. Thin Film Electronics ASA is a
publicly listed company in Norway with corporate headquarters in Oslo and global
headquarters in San Jose, California.
Contact:
Kevin Barber - Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: kevin.barber@thinfilmsystems.com
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section
5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
Kilde