Using a Novel Family of Electrolytes to Extend the Safety and Temperature Range of Li-ion Batteries

ABSTRACT: Small sized weapons need power sources that can tolerate severe environmental temperature conditions and must install them in extremely limited space. MER"s lithium-ion battery is highly suitable to fit in a limited volume but requires new materials to handle these harsh environmental conditions. In a Phase I, MER Corporation has successfully established a Li-ion battery chemistry using new electrodes and electrolyte materials that has enabled demonstration of new non-flammable Ah capacity Li-ion batteries, operational across a wide temperature range, from -50 degrees C to +65 degrees C while supplying power to heavy loads. Based on these results, in this Phase II we propose to design, fabricate and demonstrate 1Ah/26V modular Li-ion battery packs with enhanced temperature ranges extending from -55 degrees C to +85 degrees C. These battery packs will initially be evaluated in a soft case and then will be packaged as a hard case prototype. They will meet and surpass the JASSM safety performance test conditions. Prototypes will be delivered to the Air Force/Prime Contractor at the end of the Phase II program. BENEFIT: Light weight, cost effective and safer high voltage Li-ion battery packs will replace the existing Ni-Cd battery packs, which are larger than desired and which have been failing quality testing due to cell problems. At the successful completion of this proposed Phase II, we will have an advanced and highly safe Li-ion battery pack for missile flight testing. This battery offers higher specific energy, longer life and better safety across a wider range of operational temperatures than the present state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries and, therefore, will find a wide variety of military applications. The building block cells used for this modular design battery could also be used to power cellular phones to run power tools and notebooks or for hybrid electric vehicle applications. MER"s main goal is to develop a Li-ion power source that can handle severe temperature conditions. The proposed Li-ion battery, composed of novel materials and with an improved design can have higher energy density and power density with fast charge/discharge rates while operating under severe temerature conditions. Such capabilities will make these Li-ion batteries more practical for use in portable electronics, transportation vehicles, space exploration missions and aircraft propulsion systems as well as in any variable power demand application that requires a compact power source. Government applications should include all aspects of energy and security services.