Advanced Solid Inorganic Lithium-ion Conductors for Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Rechargeable lithium batteries with improved safety/abuse tolerance and high energy densities are needed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aircraft, soldier power and other Air Force platforms. Current lithium-ion batteries utilize flammable organic solvent-based electrolytes which result in safety hazards, particularly during abuse/overcharge conditions. In addition, current lithium-ion batteries have relatively low energy densities due to the limited charge storage capacity of current anodes and cathodes. Lynntech is currently developing advanced solid-state lithium batteries based on a highly conductive solid inorganic electrolyte and advanced, high capacity electrodes. The highly conductive solid electrolyte can provide solid-state batteries with significantly improved safety/abuse tolerance compared with current Li-ion batteries. The development of high capacity electrodes can provide solid-state batteries with improved energy densities compared with current Li-ion batteries. During the Phase II project, Lynntech will optimize battery fabrication and performance and determine the cycle life, energy and power density, temperature capabilities, and safety/abuse tolerance of prototype solid-state lithium batteries. The Phase II project will also develop designs and processes to produce scaled-up solid-state lithium batteries. The advanced solid-state batteries can provide improved safety/abuse tolerance, high energy density energy storage/delivery systems for a variety of Air Force/DoD platforms, including UAVs, soldier power, and other applications. BENEFIT: The proposed solid-state lithium batteries can provide improved rechargeable batteries for numerous Air Force/DoD platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), soldier power, aircraft power, munitions, and other applications. The specific advantages of the solid-state batteries are improved safety/abuse tolerance, high energy density, and improved temperature capabilities. Specific benefits for DoD include improved safety, extended duration missions, reduced carry weight for soldiers, and reduced costs. In addition to military applications, the batteries also have numerous private sector applications (dual-use). Private sector applications include electric and hybrid electric vehicles, auxiliary power units, and consumer electronic devices (cellular phones, laptop computers, etc.).