Fast-Activating Solid Cathode Lithium Reserve Batteries

Reserve batteries used for munitions have been largely unchanged over the past 30 years. Current reserve batteries meet requirements for long shelf life and operation under extreme conditions. However, current reserve batteries suffer from low energy and/or power densities and are typically slow to activate under low temperature conditions. Furthermore, the industrial base for manufacturing reserve batteries has been greatly reduced due to limited market size and costly manufacturing. Lynntech is proposing to develop a next generation lithium reserve battery based on using a solid cathode with a much higher energy density than current lithium oxyhalide reserve batteries. The focus of the Phase I effort will be on achieving fast activation times by modifying the electrolyte, separator, and activation mechanism. If successful, the proposed reserve battery will be able to leverage modern lithium battery manufacturing processes which will greatly reduce costs while expanding the industrial base for their production. During the Phase II, fully packaged prototype reserve batteries will be fabricated and tested for performance under extreme temperatures and physical forces.