High Energy Density and High Cycle Life Lithium-Sulfur Battery For Electrified Aircraft Propulsion

A high cycle life and high energy density rechargeable battery will address an important growing demand for safe, efficient, low-cost, environmentally sustainable air transportation. These advances will enable ldquo;thin-haulrdquo; aircraft with low-carbon propulsion systems that provide low-cost passenger and package transportation. Advances in electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) will also introduce a new class of small aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capability for on-demand, urban air taxi and regional commuter service applications. Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are promising next-generation energy storage devices for NASA EAP program applications because of their high theoretical gravimetric energy density of 2500 Wh/kg, which is up to 5 times higher than todayrsquo;s commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, their use has been limited by poor cycle life caused in part by the poor stability of Li metal anodes during cycling. In this Phase I, Giner will develop a novel strategy for stabilizing the Li metal anode to achieve stable, long term cycling of Li-S cells.