Thermally Stable High Energy Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries for Naval Aviation Application

Powdermet is a leader in innovative nano-powders processing and coating technologies. SAFT America Inc. and Powdermet are working to develop and produce a new generation of thermally stable Li-ion battery for Navy aircraft, capable to deliver 300Wh/Kg specific energy, at 6,000 cycles, 100% DOD in a range of -40 C to 90 C temperature operation. The advantage offered by using Powdermet and SAFT technology includes, high energy density, stability of the electrode/electrolyte system at low and elevated temperature and a low operating cost. The proposed work will investigate and develop a new non-toxic nano-engineered Li-ion battery created by a nano-composite anode in a compliant carbon matrix to reduce initial cycle loss, and synthesize metal/carbon-Li anode and to improve battery performances. A stable and uniform composite nano-structure at low/high temperature application will be achieved by developing a ternary transition metal phosphates cathode material exhibiting high power density, and a novel ionic liquid electrolyte as alternative for standard LiPF6 to satisfy aircraft battery mission operational temperature requirement. Powdermet will concentrate on the production of materials, emphasis be placed upon the high production fluidizing bed and spray drying and low cost attrition milling. SAFT America Inc. will test the advanced cathode and anode materials provided by Powdermet. During the program, the processed nano-composite materials will be tested to optimize the Li-ion battery performances.