Flexible Semiconductor-Battery Integration for Low-Power Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop a semiconductor device that efficiently stores a circuit and battery while minimizing power consumption and heat generation, particularly for wearable and implantable electronic devices where space is limited and power efficiency is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device is designed with a first transistor having a silicon channel region, a second transistor with an oxide semiconductor channel region, and a secondary battery with a solid electrolyte, all fabricated on a flexible substrate. The device includes an insulating film with halogen to prevent lithium diffusion and a cooling mechanism to manage heat, enabling wireless charging and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-performance CPU is included in the electronic device, then processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transistor population into two distinct groups: silicon-based transistors for high-performance processing tasks and oxide semiconductor transistors for low-power consumption tasks. This segmentation allows the CPU to achieve high processing capability through silicon transistors while using oxide semiconductor transistors for less critical functions, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different regions of the CPU. High-performance silicon-based transistors are used in critical processing units where speed is essential, while oxide semiconductor transistors are used in peripheral circuits and less critical functions where low power consumption is the priority. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between overall processing capability and total power consumption.
2Volume of moving object
If the electronic device is reduced in size, then portability is improved, but battery capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of transistor power consumption by introducing oxide semiconductor transistors with extremely low off-state current characteristics. This parameter change allows the device to maintain adequate battery capacity in a reduced size by dramatically lowering the power draw, thereby extending battery life despite the smaller battery volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite transistor architecture combining silicon-based and oxide semiconductor transistors. This composite approach leverages the high performance of silicon while incorporating the ultra-low power characteristics of oxide semiconductors, enabling the device to achieve acceptable battery life in a compact form factor without sacrificing critical functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If circuit and battery are stored in smaller space, then device miniaturization is improved, but heat generation control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using oxide semiconductor transistors in specific low-power circuits and peripheral components where heat generation would be problematic. This localized use of ultra-low-power materials helps control heat generation in densely packed regions without compromising the overall device miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful effect of heat generation into a benefit by using oxide semiconductor transistors that generate minimal heat. This allows the device to maintain small form factor with high component density while the low heat generation from oxide semiconductor transistors actually enables better thermal management in the compact design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient power management, reduced heat generation, and flexible form factors, suitable for wearable and implantable devices by optimizing transistor and battery integration on a flexible substrate, enhancing both power efficiency and device durability.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes an insulating film with halogen to prevent lithium diffusion
Implementation Method 2
A channel region of the second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor
Implementation Method 3
a cooling mechanism to manage heat
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device in which a circuit and a battery are efficiently stored is provided. In the semiconductor device, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a secondary battery are provided over one substrate. A channel region of the second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor. The secondary battery includes a solid electrolyte, and can be fabricated by a semiconductor manufacturing process. The substrate may be a semiconductor substrate or a flexible substrate. The secondary battery has a function of being wirelessly charged.