Low-cost recyclable ultrafast aluminum secondary batteries with 350+ Wh/kg, no flammable material - developed by Cornell University

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Medical Modernization Division urgently needs safer, higher-energy batteries to power critical medical equipment for tactical, forward-deployed teams. Existing power solutions cannot meet the demanding requirements for lightweight, long-duration, non-flammable energy storage in austere environments, limiting the reach and effectiveness of AFSOC medical missions. The Aluminum-Graphene Innovation Lightweight Energy (AGILE) battery, developed by Cerebral Energy in partnership with Cornell University and supported by NASA Langley Research Center.AGILE leverages breakthrough aluminum anode technology from Cornell, holey graphene (hG) cathodes from NASA, and advanced manufacturing capabilities to achieve 2-3X the specific energy of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries while enhancing safety and reliability. The non-flammable chemistry and robust design enable operation in extreme conditions, from desert heat to arctic cold. For AFSOC medics, AGILE means longer-lasting, lighter-weight portable power for critical devices like ventilators, monitors, and ultrasound scanners, increasing the reach and duration of field care missions.The 18-month Phase II effort will focus on three objectives: 1) Developing and validating the AGILE chemistry to achieve two-times improvement in specific energy, 2) Designing, building, and testing prototype cells and packs to meet all AFSOC requirements and demonstrate two-times specific energy gains, and 3) Delivering MIL-STD certified prototypes and defining the pilot production process for Phase III transition. Key innovations include novel aluminum electrodeposition methods, hG cathodes with three-times standard graphene's areal capacity, optimized ionic liquid electrolytes, and additive manufacturing techniques for electrode fabrication.