Smart Miniaturized Power Supply

ABSTRACT: This Phase I proposal will meet the Air Force requirements for smart scalable miniaturized batteries with high energy density, safety, and reliability. The battery design allows for energy densities in excess of 800 Wh/L and solid state cells are capable of extremely high cycle life, and extended operating temperature range. The lithium cell proposed is fabricated using low cost production processes and has already demonstrated high energy density and ultimate safety even in extreme environments. To meet the power requirements in this solicitation the cathode performance will be enhanced by optimizing the cathode thickness and lithium diffusion rate. Thin, hermetically packaged 1 Ah modules can be easily stacked to scale to any required capacity. The inherent safety of the solid state technology minimizes requirements for power management and other protections that are essential with other battery technologies. This drastically simplifies the task of circuit design for monitoring the power supply condition in smart applications. BENEFIT: The ultra safe all-solid state lithium batteries prepared on thin substrates will not only satisfy the Air Force"s requirements for instrumentation and flight termination support applications, they can also provide energy storage for other military applications, for devices in the electronics industry and other consumer markets. The most promising opportunity is in portable electronics, such as cellular phones, portable computers, and other personal digital assistance devices. Smart, miniaturized power supplies have application in the commercial market for the auto industry and many other applications that have space constraints. The solid state construction is ideal for extreme military environments including temperature range, acceleration and vibration. Also, the cell is expected to perform well in EMI/EMC testing. Further development of this novel technology and scale up of the manufacturing capability will lead to a lithium battery with an energy density at least 100% higher than that of conventional lithium ion batteries. By developing a high capacity, all-solid state battery on thin substrates, the US will establish a leadership position in rechargeable battery research and benefit from this high margin, high performance battery market.