QynCap Energy Storage Device for Airborne Directed Energy Weapons

The Navy is in the process of improving the warfighting capability of critical platforms by introducing laser-based weapon systems that require pulses of DC electric power. Electrochemical capacitors, or ultracapacitors, are superior to Li-ion batteries for pulse power applications. Qynergy has developed a hybrid ultracapacitor technology called the QynCap which utilizes one activated carbon (capacitor) electrode and one nickel hydroxide (battery) electrode in an aqueous KOH electrolyte. Compared with conventional ultracapacitors, QynCaps have a higher capacity per mass because of the use of the battery electrode, and they operate at lower temperatures (-55°C) because of the aqueous electrolyte. Although the use of this electrolyte reduces the QynCap operating voltage, it also lowers the internal series resistance which improves power performance (KOH/water is > 50× more conductive than any organic electrolyte). The objectives of this eighteen month Phase II SBIR Basic Effort are to fabricate and test spirally-wound QynCap cells for use in Navy high-energy laser systems. In addition, a multi-cell module prototype will be designed and fabricated, complete with control electronics, active cell balancing, and state-of-health sensors. In the six month Phase II SBIR Option, extensive electrical and mechanical testing will be performed on the cells.