High Temperature All Solid-State LiAl-CO2 Batteries for Venus Missions

The planet Venus is an interesting target for scientific exploration. However, long-duration missions to the surface of Venus present a significant challenge to the power system due to its ambient temperature (390 to 485oC) and high average surface pressure of carbon dioxide (92 bar). Therefore, conventional power technologies including photovoltaic power systems and the conventional batteries could not meet the requirement for Venus surface application. TalosTech LLC and University of Delaware propose to develop a high temperature all solid-state LiAl-CO2 battery with superior specific energy by using a high performance cathode, an innovative tri-layer solid state electrolyte framework, LiAl metal anode, and ambient carbon dioxide at Venus surface as a reactant. During Phase I, the team will demonstrate the feasibility of the high temperature all-solid-state LiAl-CO2 battery with superior specific energy (948 Wh/kg). The successful development of this technology will provide a high energy battery operating 100-600oC, which can be operated on the Venus surface for more than 60 days.