High Power/Energy Lithium-Copper Chloride Launch Vehicle Rechargeable Battery

During this project, 5 to 40 Ahr size Li/CuCl2 cells will be constructed, first in demountable metal cell cases, then in practical hermetic welded metal cell cases with glass-to-metal seals terminals and vents. The cells will be discharged atDelta III and IV launch vehicle (LV) discharge regimes and a variety of abuse, 60 and 70 C activated storage tests will be carried out. Calculations from extensive experimental data show that 40 Ahr Li/CuCl2 cells in a lightweight case could deliver 202Whr/kg at a full 40 Amp discharge and 2 second 250 A pulses above 2.10 V. Nine Li/CuCl2 cells would replace 19 AgO/Zn cells in a 30.5 V LV battery with 52% less space. About 40% of the Phase II effort will involve a technology development task that will include work to (i) semi-optimize an oxidation resistant shutdown separator that contains a fuse material that will melt at 100 C shutting down a 40 Ahr cell, (ii)devise new technology to totally contain SO2 inside a sealed battery box in case a cell vents and (iii) to discover and develop new transition metal halide positive electrodes capable of over 350 Whr/kg. Electronic circuits and software to charge ninecell Li/CuCl2 batteries will also be developed.