Radically Designed High Energy Metal-Air Cell for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will advance an efficient and lightweight energy storage device for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) by developing a high energy density lithium-air cell with a radical new design. Specifically, the project advances high energy density cells by focusing on increasing the energy density of our existing lithium-air cells with a radical new design. Our high-energy air cathodes, with an increased oxygen diffusion rate, will be incorporated into the cell designs. Several different designs with varying air diffusion techniques will be investigated. These cells produce power by the lithium reacting with the air cathode. This significantly decreases the weight by consuming oxygen from the air. Yardney’s experience and technologies in oxygen cathodes and powers sources will be adopted in the design of the lithium-air cells. Advantages of the proposed lithium-air cell include a high energy density, lightweight design, and a high energy density cathode.