Cathode Improvements for Thermal Batteries

Thermal batteries are mission critical components which provide power to military weapon systems for electronics, fusing, sensing and actuation. Current and future thermal battery packaging and performance requirements are being pushed to the limits, demanding higher power levels over longer operating times (hence, higher usable energy output) in smaller, lighter packages. These increases are required for: (1) advanced munitions and strategic defense applications employing multifunctional seeker and sensor packages, (2) active data links supporting a net-centric capability and/or (3) increased maneuvering capability. In order to meet these demands, ENSER has proposed development of new cathode materials and demonstrated significant improvements in performance in single cell tests and in prototype batteries during Phase I. During Phase II, ENSER is proposing to optimize the synthesis and manufacturing of the most promising cathode material(s) and demonstrate their processing in battery components and their improved performance in practical batteries. As confirmed in Phase I, these materials show significant increase in energy density, power density and operational lifetime of thermal batteries. The performance improvement(s) will be demonstrated in a selected battery (potentially JCM – now JAGM, EAPS or MKV).