High Temperature Rechargeable Li/Se Batteries for Venus Missions

Space energy storage systems are required to enable/enhance the capabilities of future planetary science missions. Venus aerial and surface missions pose challenges for energy storage systems where the temperature and pressure can be up to 460 deg;C and 92 bar, respectively. Rugged, high temperature batteries are needed for future long duration Venus missions. Lynntech proposes the development of a rechargeable lithium/selenium (Li/Se) battery which utilizes liquid lithium and selenium electrodes separated by a solid-state ceramic electrolyte.nbsp; The use of a liquid electrodes is enabled by an innovative cell design which compensates for volume changes as the cell undergoes charge/discharge cycles.nbsp; The new cell design permits direct operation in Venusrsquo; high pressure atmosphere due to the lack of differential pressures.nbsp; Furthermore, the new cell design is highly space and weight efficient and allows for packaged Li/Se cells with a specific power of up 760 Wh/kg and an energy density gt;1,500 Wh/kg.nbsp;nbsp;During the Phase I, Lynntech will demonstrate the ability of the Li/Se chemistry to operate at temperatures up to 460 deg;C.nbsp; Component level material development will also be performed to ensure stable long-term performance.nbsp; The Phase I will culminate in the fabrication and testing of Li/Se cells utilizing the new volume compensating cell design.nbsp; During Phase II, Lynntech will optimize the components and prototype cells to meet NASArsquo;s cell performance goals. The advanced high temperature Li/Se batteries can provide significant mass and volume savings, as well as operational flexibility for NASA exploration missions.