Sn-based micro and nano lithium battery materials

Energy provision and storage are significant and critical issues for wireless sensor network (WSN) applications. Hybrid energy devices incorporating energy harvesting requires the development of enhanced energy storage materials and architectures. A decreased footprint with the same capacity is desirable to maximise the energy density and enable long-life wireless sensors. Methods to structure active and support battery materials enhance the device characteristics offering mechanical and electrical support. The results below are for Sn-based materials that can be processed in 3D or 1D to decrease the footprint of the energy storage element. The effect of the support material is also shown to be significant and directly relevant for high aspect ratio nanostructure where the lithium active materials experience volume changes during charge and discharge.