GDI’s Scalable 100% Silicon Anodes for Superior High Energy Density, High Safety, and Low Temperature Operation Li-ion Batteries

On a typical 72-hour mission, soldiers may be expected to carry up to 61 pounds of equipment. Their kit typically includes a rifle, spare magazines, clothing, communications equipment, medical devices & rations, as well as batteries. According to the Army Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, almost one third, or 20.8 pounds, of that kit, can come from batteries alone. Increasingly, the modern warfighter needs reliable energy storage devices to power the array of equipment used on a mission. However, devoting over 20 pounds of additional strain to carrying batteries is incompatible with the future of expeditionary, multi-domain operations. There has been considerable advancement in the armaments, sensors, and computing resources for dismounted soldiers, but innovation in the energy storage realm is still lacking. Tactical and support vehicles can likewise benefit from more capable batteries. At present, the majority of the Army’s vehicles run on petroleum-based fuels, which introduces logistical and cost vulnerability. Operations in Europe and the Middle East would ideally utilize fuel sourced locally, but the ongoing war in Ukraine and other regional conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war make re-supply more dangerous. In addition, limitations on crude oil production by OPEC to boost prices increase cost. Transitioning to all electric or hybrid vehicles will reduce the amount of fuel the Army needs to procure and transport, and therefore the cost of fuel as well. Tactical vehicles will also benefit from the increased capability supplied by a hybrid power system. Hybrid vehicles such as the electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle have silent drive and extended silent watch capabilities, and do not need an external towed generator, making them more versatile and lethal than a petroleum-driven vehicle. Last but not least, current Li-ion batteries trade safety for energy. Either the US ARMY can use safe low energy cells in those batteries, or high energy cells that will explode into flames during abuse testing. There is a need to enable both >300Wh/kg energy density, and high safety, without sacrificing low temperature performance. Some companies have improved safety with a solid state or polymer electrolyte. However with the DoD need to operate Li-ion batteries to below -40F, these solutions require room temperature operation, and fail this requirement. Therefore GDI proposes a novel 100% silicon anode technology in partnership with Navitas Systems and CRG to design, develop, and produce at pilot levels a Li-ion battery cell(CWB) that can operate at -40F, survive nail penetration with a non flammable electrolyte blend, and achieve >300Wh/kg. To date a cell has no been demonstrated that can achieve all three in the same format.