Nano-Composite Anode for Thermal Batteries

To increase specific power of thermal batteries, thinning the electrodes by cold pressing has been the primary approach to decrease the electrolyte diffusion distance during discharge and to reduce the significant portion of electrode materials un-reacted after discharge. This approach however, further reduces porosity of the electrodes making them even less permeable to electrolyte. Handling thin and brittle electrode disks adds significant manufacturing costs. Giner, Inc. proposes to address these problems by using a fibrous nano-composite anode for applications in next-generation high power/energy density thermal batteries. In the Phase I program, Giner will synthesize this fibrous composite anode and demonstrate its performance in a prototype single cell. On a Phase II program, Giner will scale up this composite anode and develop optimized electrode fabrication procedures and full size prototype cells will be fabricated and tested in nonoperational and operational environments. Safety tests will also be performed in Phase II in accordance to Navy"s missile battery safety requirements.