Critical Precursors for High Rate Rechargeable Batteries

This Phase I SBIR will develop a foundation for a secure and domestic supply of a reactant critical to the production of large format high-rate rechargeable batteries. In phase I, a variety of precursors and process equipment will be screened and qualified at laboratory scale. The laboratory scale process technology will be transferred to our subcontractor, an established industrial powder processor serving the metal powder market. With our subcontractor we will demonstrate pilot scale production of the reactant at their production facility. Our phase I objective will be to produce >10 kg/day of the reactant. This will meet anticipated demand for producing prototype large format cells for delivery under existing programs with our military customers. In addition to the reactant, the phase I deliverables will include a bill of materials for the process and a unit process cost model. For each consumable material used in the process we also will deliver a certificate of analysis defining the acceptance criteria. The phase I program will establish a foundation to continue scale up in phase II, with a focus on process control development and cost reduction.