CORNERSTONE RESEARCH GROUP INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF192-040

Description

As tactical and deployed electrical power demands increase for battlefield airmen (BA), there is a commensurate need for a safe, energy dense power source for the continually improving BA worn systems and SUAS. Solid state battery technology is a promising approach toward incorporation of the highest energy density electrode materials, such as lithium metal, NCA, NMC-811 and sulfur, while achieving the top safety as the flammable liquid electrolyte is eliminated. Aerosol jet printing is an attractive option for the solid state battery manufacturing, allowing to functionally engineer the battery structure, improve charge transfer across all interfaces, and simplify the cell assembly, leading to a safe, high performance and lower cost power source. Additionally, solid-state approach holds the promise to address the cycle life issue affecting Li-Sulfur batteries: polysulfide shuttle in traditional liquid electrolytes. Cornerstone Research Group proposes to develop High Performance Printed Conformal Li Battery based on solid state electrolyte and high energy active materials, and manufactured by aerosol jet printing. The Printed Conformal Li Battery will significantly improve safety, energy, cycle life and manufacturability over the existing technology to meet Air Force’s energy storage challenges.