Safe, Large-Format Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Batteries for ICBMs

Lithium ion batteries are being used extensively in several areas including the USAF ICBM due to their high energy density, reliability and performance. The high energy density also poses unique challenges such as fires and explosions. Failure in a single cell can rapidly spread tothe battery pack compromising the entire operation and personnel safety. We propose the development of a large format Li ion battery that is comparable to or better than the state-of-the-art in terms of energy density and performance, but is extremely safe against hazards like short circuits, overheat and overcharge (that can lead to thermal runaway in COTS batteries). Our technology is based on passive early detection of such failures and prevention of conditions that can lead to thermal runaway. This protects each individual cell in the battery pack that in turn eliminates the cell-to-cell propagation of failure. We propose to demonstrate the feasibility of proposed concepts on COTS large format Li ion batteries in Phase I, and develop custom large format batteries with our technology embedded in it in Phase II. We will deliver prototype batteries to the Air Force at the end of Phase II for further evaluation.