Reduced Temperature, High Power Thermal Battery Chemistry

Mobile Energy Products, Inc. proposes the development of a high rate low temperature thermal battery based on lithium salt electrolytes which have a melting point less than 240ºC. As part of the electrolyte characterization effort under this proposal, emphasis will be on a eutectic that melts at 236ºC. This material shows the greatest promise and lowest risk for being successfully incorporated into a thermal battery that would operate at lower temperatures. The goal is to develop the chemistry for a target operating temperature of as low as 250ºC to as high as 550ºC using primarily the Li(Si)/FeS2 couple. This 300ºC operational window is substantially greater than the 200ºC one for thermal batteries using the LiCl-KCl eutectic electrolyte. Detailed full-scale battery tests are envisioned as part of a Phase II effort, with the possibility of designing a battery to replace a conventional thermal battery now being used for specific weapons applications.