Thin Film Thermal Batteries

In US Army Phase I SBIR program, “Thin Film Thermal Batteries”, US Nanocorp, Inc (USN) developed thin film thermal battery components including cathodes/separators and anodes. The electric performances of thermal cells have been improved greatly with thin film components. Furthermore, with the thin film components, thermal cells/batteries are able to be manufactured in conformal geometry and high efficiency. The achievements of Phase I program have laid technical foundation for the Phase II program. The purpose of phase II program is to develop a prototype thin film thermal battery for the US Army’s applications, such as, Common Smart Submunitions (“CSS”). The thin film techniques will improve the current thermal batteries in terms of energy density, power density, geometrical conformability, and manufacture efficiency. The objective will be realized by conducting the following investigation works: (1). Optimization of cathode /separator composite thin films; (2). Development and improvement of thin film Li-Ni and Li-Al anodes; (3). Thermal modeling and high-g package design; (4). Prototype design and fabrication with thin film components; (5). Performance evaluation of the prototype thermal batteries. The proposed program builds on USN’s extensive experience in materials and thin films combined with Advanced Thermal Batteries, Inc (“ATB”)’s thermal battery manufacture experiences.