Energy Storage

Energy storage at Fraunhofer IPMS within the Components and Systems division focuses on compact energy storage solutions for microelectronic applications. Research is centered on ultra-compact silicon capacitors and integrated microbatteries that enable local energy buffering and seamless integration directly at the chip level.

Silicon capacitors are developed for highly miniaturized system solutions, allowing passive components to be integrated in a space-efficient manner into IC packages, system-in-package (SiP) architectures, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and interposers. Their high capacitance density, tailored electrical characteristics, and advanced high-k dielectric materials provide stable power delivery directly within sensor circuits. Integrated microbatteries address the growing demand for energy-efficient microelectronic systems. By combining three-dimensional silicon structuring with the precise deposition of functional materials into micrometer-deep structures, battery stacks can be integrated directly into the chip while minimizing the required footprint.

Key application areas include the Internet of Things (IoT), maintenance-free sensor nodes, and autonomous semiconductor systems. These technologies provide chip and system developers with a foundation for integrating power sources closer to sensors and electronic components. Fraunhofer IPMS supports its partners in the development of chip-integrated energy storage solutions, passive integration technologies, and highly miniaturized electronic systems. The focus is on minimizing installation space, maximizing energy availability, and ensuring manufacturing precision throughout application-oriented technology development. These approaches are particularly suited for systems in which conventional energy storage solutions are either too large or cannot be positioned close enough to the electronic components.