CORNERSTONE RESEARCH GROUP INC — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: SOCOM22D-ST01

Description

The demand for rechargeable energy storage systems with greater specific energy and improved power density continues to increase to support current and next generation soldier-assisting electronics and unmanned aerial, underwater, and ground vehicles (UAVs, UUVs, UGVs). Insufficient electrical power and energy can directly impede military missions by inhibiting infantry and vehicle performance, safety, and run-time. Central to high energy and power dense storage are lithium ion batteries (LIBs) which have demonstrated a specific energy >250 Wh/kg. Next generation cell designs utilizing advanced anodes (silicon, lithium, anode-less) and high capacity cathodes (LCO, NMC811) have been demonstrated to boost the specific energy to ~400 Wh/kg; however, for many military applications, especially man portable power and aerial vehicles, >700 Wh/kg will be needed. CRG will partner with Argonne National Lab (ANL) to develop an advanced high specific energy (>700 Wh/kg) cell. CRG will combine a next generation high capacity cathode with a high energy density lithium metal anode. CRG’s cell will utilize an advanced state-of-the-art electrolyte that will prevent dendrite growth, reduce electrolyte consumption, and help enhance the life of the battery. The developed cell will be capable of improving the operational performance and safety over current military batteries.