New Approaches for Ambient Temperature Li-Based Reserve Batteries

This SBIR Phase I program presents a significant opportunity to look at new generation of friendlier chemistries which have equivalent electrochemical capability to the oxyhalides, and at the same time offer a reserve battery technology that can lenditself to miniturization and/or mass production. Thus, a viable reserve technology must cover 1) chemistry, 2) reservoir design, and 3) activation method. The use of an organic-based electrolyte solution(s) coupled to two innovative high-voltage cathodesystems is the basic foundation of this proposal.The battery technology in recent years has seen a significant progress in advancing the material science of cathode materials. Available to the battery field are materials possessing improved energy and rate. These materials exist as bulk and asnano-scale forms. This progress provides a great opportunity to re-look and re-strategize the military need for R/T Lithium Primary Reserve Batteries.During Phase I, the selections of the components will be guided by the critical strategic need for shelf life, reliability of activation, and ability to perform at broad-based temperature. The focus will be at cathode materials, electrolyte solutions, andcorrosion behavior of the typically used materials-of-constructions. A reservoir/activation method will also be designed during this option period. The ENVIRONMENTALLY reserve battery addressed in this SBIR topic, to a large extent, uniquely belonged to the military. It is also recognized as a critical component for any of the mines, missile, and Sonobouy applications. For