Multi-Functional High Energy, High Power Lithium-Polymer Batteries for MAVs

ABSTRACT: Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) are emerging as a critical technology for the U.S. Air Force with increased endurance identified as an essential need to enable MAVs to execute meaningful missions. Unfortunately, current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, the preferred energy storage device for MAVs, are not capable of providing sufficient energy while remaining within the highly constrained mass and volume budgets for MAVs. Thus, significant advancements in lithium ion battery technologies (e.g., increased specific energy and power) are required to enable MAVs to execute their intended missions. To address this need, ADA Technologies, Inc., proposes to continue advancements made in Phase I to develop high performance lithium-polymer batteries for MAVs. The proposed Phase II program places a particular emphasis on the development of a highly conductive and stable ionic liquid gel polymer electrolyte. When combined with advanced nanostructured electrodes, the proposed technology will provide substantially greater specific energy, cycle life and safety as compared to state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. The proposed program will establish material synthesis protocols, material scale-up, proof-of-concept cell production and demonstration and ultimately design and produce a full-scale prototype lithium-polymer battery pack for integration into a target test-bed platform. BENEFIT: The increased performance enabled by the proposed technology will allow for advanced lithium-ion batteries to meet performance objectives for U.S. Air Force micro air vehicles. Furthermore, the developments undertaken will substantially improve the state-of-the-art of lithium-ion battery devices. Thus if successful, the resulting technology could have substantial commercial impact as the overall market for energy storage devices is estimated to be in excess of $6B per year. Spin-off applications include hybrid electric vehicles, utility grid applications, and personal electronics among others.