Ultra-high energy-density energy-storage product for long-range aviation/ground transport and directed-energy applications

SpinQiÆs team consists of investigators, researchers, program managers and engineering experts with decades of experience in the generation and measurement of puled power, including large capacitors and inductors. Foundational research activities were conducted in the course of designing and constructing novel robotic devices. The team has developed a novel centimeter-scale compact high-voltage high-energy-density (HV-HED) capacitor that can effectively deliver significant operational efficiency in the battlefield. The novel capacitor utilizes a composite of high dielectric coefficient nanomaterial (MXene) mixed in a substrate of high dielectric-strength polymer. Since the energy stored in a capacitor is proportional to the square of the voltage, the overall energy density of the novel capacitor is higher than that of ultracapacitors (that have high capacitance but can only be used at low voltages) and batteries (which only operate at low voltages). Calculations, verified with experiments, show that a 50 kV HV-HED capacitor will have higher energy density/kg (130 MJ/kg) than batteries (e.g., Saft e6T Li-Ion batteries used in Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, at 0.6 MJ/kg) or even jet fuel JP-8 (44 MJ/kg). The composition and advanced engineering of the capacitor demonstrated thermal stability at MIL-SPEC temperatures. These accomplishments represent unprecedented advances in energy storage. The HV-HED capacitor offers a profound opportunity and paradigm shift for electrification/hybridization needed by the USA military to achieve its 2035 energy strategy objective of reduced fuel dependency. The inherent robust ballistic and crash tolerances of the capacitor will mitigate vulnerabilities associated with energy transportation, provide high energy efficiency and storage reliability with a longer lifespan. Its ability to rapidly charge and discharge energy in microseconds will offer tactical advantages, enabling quick response and sustained energy supply in combat situations. In addition to the added capabilities, SpinQiÆs solution will significantly reduce the logistic burden on the USAF and the military. As capacitorsÆ cycle life is significantly longer than batteries, the need to replace old energy storage devices with new ones will be significantly reduced, thereby lowering maintenance costs. In the Phase I feasibility study, SpinQi shall determine the technical merits and feasibility of satisfying the proposed solution and technology against the USAFÆs actual product-market applications. SpinQi seeks to identify its innovative HV as an Air Force, Joint warfighter, (non-warfighter) government and non-governmental solution for energy storage in multiple use cases and platforms, offering (dual use) energy storage and energy source for electric vehicles, eVTOL platforms, directed energy weapons and systems, and more.