Advanced Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery

Many DOD systems employ rechargeable batteries to supply power. Battery weight, volume, cycle life and cost are generally limited considerations in enabling satisfactory mission performance. Systems presently utilize Lead-Acid, Nickel-Cadmium, Nickel-Metal Hydride or Lithium-Iobatteries. The Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MN) system is now under study as a superior candidate for many applications. Electro Energy, Inc. is presently developing a bipolar version of the Ni-MH system that willyield high energy density (E.D.) of 50-60 Wh/kg, a signifigant improvement above present technologies. In distinction, this proposed projectmore revolutionary than evolutionary, is directed at developing a "next century"version of this system that would yield an E.D. of 85-100 Wh/kg and 300 Wh/l, a 50 to 100% improvement. This will involve the development of both improved hydride materials with significantly greaterhydrogen storage capabilities, improved nickel electrodes, and reducedweight and volume packaging.