A central challenge in the fabrication of thin film batteries is the elimination of pinholes and other defects in solid electrolytes that can cause short circuits during battery operation. Meda (thin film deposition, CVD, electrochemistry), Ward (electrochemistry and atomic force microscopy), and Weck (polymer synthesis) will explore alternative strategies for eliminating defects in electrolyte such as Lipon. Meda and his undergraduate team will deposit Lipon layers onto cathode layers, previously deposited on ceramic substrates, using RF magnetron sputtering. The Xavier team will characterize the layered structures using AC impedance spectroscopy, which will reveal the electrochemical resistance and the extent of defect formation. The NYU investigators will characterize the Lipon surfaces by atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine defect and pinhole density and size. The research team will then plug the pinholes with polymers that are stable when in contact with the lithium anode. The researchers will also focus on developing new cathode materials that can increase the capacity of thin film batteries.