CUSTOM ELECTRONICS, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A14-082

Description

In summary, increased energy storage to meet the initial Phase I requirements was demonstrated as readily achievable through several approaches. The approach that offers the greatest benefit in terms of providing additional energy and maximum design flexibility was the conformal/structural cells shaped as and replacing the wing elements. The cell becomes the entire wing element, which provides the mechanical strength and stiffness needed for the munition. In demanding applications, such as munitions and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), it is advantageous to use components that can provide multi-functionality. A second approach demonstrated was a half cylindrical tube-shape that could be part of or wrapped around the body of the munition. Thus far in the development, the lithium-ion battery has demonstrated sufficient power, energy density and structural stiffness. The optimization of cell characteristics/design demonstrated as much as a 50% increase in energy density over commercial off the shelf (COTS) cells. The GEC, in its present configuration, was found to add little to the stand alone lithium ion battery in this application and has been directed toward other applications, such as the fast charging system. Further increases in energy density were demonstrated with the "naked" cell design and are possible with the implementation of silicon anodes.