Navitas Advanced Solutions Group, LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A17-020

Description

Navitas proposes a novel approach to produce high energy, high power lithium batteries. Our innovative approach produces multilayer electrodes with gradient pore structure throughout the thickness of the electrode. Phase I results showed that the graded electrode structure enhanced lithium ion transport. The innovative electrodes were fabricated using water-based coating process. Phase I individually demonstrated the benefits of each of the following advances in the fabrication of multilayer electrodes: dual slot-die coating, advanced drying technologies, and electrode additives. Feasibility was demonstrated at full-cell level in laboratory prototype pouch cells. In Phase II, Navitas will integrate the three advances, validate them with high energy anode and cathode materials, and scale up the integrated process for pilot production of multilayer electrodes. Phase II will develop 3.0Ah prototype cells and demonstrate the functionality over a wide-temperature range, under select environmental, storage, and cycling conditions. In addition, Navitas will initiate the scale-up and design processes and develop a preliminary cost structure for the production of battery systems >250 Wh/kg and >4kW/kg .