Lithium Copper Chloride Inorganic Electrolyte Battery for More Electric Aircraft Systems

This project will demonstrate the safety of the Li/CuCl*2 battery system and develop components and cells for 270 V bipolar batteries for the power system for the More Electric Aircraft (MEA). The Li/CuCl*2/inorganic electrolyte system can presently deliver 226 w/kg and 181 Whr/kg for continuous discharge at up to 10 mA/cm*2 (3C) for over 500 deep cycles. Such performance is unmatched by any other known rechargeable system. The approach to demonstrate the safety of Li/CuCl*2 cells that will be undertaken during Phase I will be to subject hermetically welded prismatic D size Li/CuC1*2 cells in stainless steel cases to electrical abuse tests, such as >25 mA/cm*2 charging pulses lasting approximately equal to 20 s. The prismatic D cells will contain a 2.0 x 4.0 cm CuCl*2 electrode and a less than 400 psi pressure vent. A number of innovative materials and approaches will be evaluated to improve the Li electrode cycling efficiency. At least 30% of the Phase I effort will involve work to develop and evaluate experimental methods to greatly reduce the probability of leakage of the plastic ring on the perimeter of bipolar electrodes. Preliminary designs and cost estimates will be prepared for the size of 270 V bipolar Li/CuCl2 battery that best meets the requirements for a MEA.