Long-lived Power Source with Pulsed Current Capability

The objective of this program is the development of an anti-tamper battery that is capable of detecting a tamper event and then providing high-current, pulsed-power to initiate a response to the intrusion. The battery will incorporate features that confound efforts to defeat the tamper response by non-destructive imaging through the battery. The battery chemistry, tamper detection, and response circuitry are designed to provide up to 20 years of anti-tamper resistance under a wide range of environmental extremes. The battery will be fabricated in a standalone, flexible configuration suitable for conforming to simple curved surfaces or for enclosing tamper targets. The finished device will include a low-power-consumption integrated circuits that will be used to monitor the battery and initiate the anti-tamper response. All the integrated circuit elements are incorporated into the battery and protected by the anti-tamper features. These cells are capable of extended discharge at low currents and pulse discharge capability of 50 mA for a short duration at 25oC or 5 mA at -20oC. The proposed program evolves through a sequence of tasks that involve development of individual components, fabrication, and evaluation of finished devices. In-house manufacturing and licensing will be a key part of the commercialization strategy.