LITHIUM BATTERY ENGINEERING Limited Liability Company — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A15-101

Description

The objective of this proposal is to conduct a systematic screening of new and existing elements, components, and systems that can be combined in [new] ways to achieve a fast charging rate and high energy power system that operates over the full temperature range of -40 to + 60oC. This includes: new electrolytes (including novel eutectic mixtures of ionic liquids); new separators (including high filler, lithium salt filled and electroactive polymers), new and/or surface modified anodes with faster interfacial reactions to accelerate intercalation, surface treatments with electroactive polymers to act as a pseudo-capacitive buffer layer and new tapered and pulse charging protocols. From this data one or more cells will be designed, built and demonstrated, including all key required materials and design developments needed (development/selection of anode, cathode, electrolyte/separator) as well as the manufacturing process. The new charging protocol will be specified and demonstrated and an appropriate charger designed and demonstrated. The cell capacity will be greater than 0.5 Ah, with 3C cycle-ability at -30oC and scalable to 24 volt or larger applications. The cells will also meet high shock survivability, operational flight requirements, military shelf life and storage temperatures.