VGCF Cloth for Thin, Flexible Electrodes

The proliferation of complex electronic devices for use in warfare ranging across handheld electronics, sensors, hybrid vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems, and directed energy systems are increasing the demand for battery power needed for mission operations. The dramatic evolution in the inventory and use of these electrically-powered systems has stimulated new thrusts in energy harvesting and storage, to enable continuous and autonomous battlefield operations of these systems. To meet the demand for portable electric power, effort is being directed at novel methods for coupling energy harvesting, such as flexible solar cells, with flexible batteries which can be integrated into UAS structures and other portable systems. As identified by the U.S. Navy, requirements for such systems include improvements in charge capacity, internal leakage on charging, shelf life, and cycle life. Applied Sciences, Inc. (ASI) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) propose to jointly develop low-cost, high capacity, thin, flexible, conformable, lightweight batteries that are compatible with energy harvesting devices. The proposed battery will use flexible cathodes and anodes developed at ORNL and ASI respectively that can ultimately meet goals of a conformal battery with>10 mAh/cm2,<100 A/cm2, 6 month shelf life, and cycle life requirements.