Solid-State Electrolyte for High Pulse-Power Energy Sources

Lithium-ion batteries are the state of the art choice for military and commercial applications requiring high specific energy. Solid state polymer electrolyte configurations are particularly attractive since they permit a high degree of flexibility in design. The main limitations are operation at high rate and low temperature. To permit high rate operation over a wide temperature range, the development of a novel, solid-state electrolyte with single ion (Li+) conductivity and low, nearly temperature independent resistance is proposed. The electrolyte makes use of well ordered heterocyclic compounds, which can complex with Li, and where the intermolecular structure encourages quasi continuous channels with low activation energy for Li+ ion movement in the electric field. A successful development would result in lithium based batteries with significantly increased energy and power density.