New and Improved Nonaqueous Electrolyte Components - Salts and Solvents

A need exists to significantly improve the low temperature performance of lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries presently being developed for U.S. Army field applications. State-of-the-art Li-ion battery performance rapidly declines as the temperature falls below -10°C; yet high rate capability with useful battery capacity at temperatures as low as -40°C is required to meet warfighter requirements on the battlefield. To solve this problem we propose to develop a novel Li-ion battery electrolyte formulation that incorporates some new electrolyte additives. Covalent’s novel Li-ion battery electrolytes will provide a simple and cost-effective solution for the low temperature performance problem since we have demonstrated that small quantities of the additives significantly enhance low temperature rate capability while enabling Li-ion battery performance at temperatures of up to 80°C.