Thermal Battery with Low Internal Operating Temperatures for Missile Applications

The U.S. Air Force requires rechargeable thermal battery technology that can function at low skin temperatures for use in advanced weapons systems. Based on proof-of-concept experiments conducted by us, we believe that a rechargeable thermal battery technology may be achieved by marrying "off the shelf" lithium ion battery electrodes to a new class of non-flammable molten salt electrolytes. We envision a lithium ion cell chemistry operating at ~100°C that can provide high energy densities and high rate capabilities with battery skin temperature significantly lower than that of current thermal primary batteries. During Phase I the new molten salt electrolytes will be characterized in respect to ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. The best electrolytes will be cycled in lithium ion cells at elevated temperatures.