Platform Li-Ion Battery Risk Assessment Tool Navy STTR FY2010.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2010.A Topic No.: N10A-T014 Topic Title: Platform Li-Ion Battery Risk Assessment Tool Proposal No.: N10A-014-0203 Firm: Oceanit Laboratories, Inc. Oceanit Center 828 Fort Street Mall, Suite 600 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Contact: Suthee Wiri Phone: (808) 531-3017 Web Site: www.oceanit.com Abstract: Modern warfare is becoming increasingly dependent on high technology and the means to power it. Lithium-ion batteries are a popular power choice due to high energy density and long charge hold. Unfortunately Lithium-ion batteries also have some distinct disadvantages including the possibility of catastrophic failure. This is of significant importance when the battery failure may take place in close proximity to explosive or propellant such as in a missile system or in a confined space such as the battery compartment of a diesel-electric submarine. A single cell that ruptures and catches fire may disrupt adjacent cells and cause a runaway effect through a battery bank that becomes uncontrollable. There exists a need for a tool to assess the risks of Li-ion battery casualty at the cell, pack, and system levels. In order to safely utilize Lithium-ion battery technologies, we propose a tool to fill the unmet need of risk assessment by modeling the potential of a cell level casualty and the consequent effects that would have on the surroundings. We will utilize the expertise at Oceanit and NREL to create a tool based on software specialized for simulating high speed, energetic expansion for the failure modes of Li-ion batteries. Benefits: The market for Li-ion batteries for transportation needs was expected to exceed $875M in 2010, growing to $8B by 2015. Additional markets include that of commercial portable electronics and military needs. Little work has been performed on modeling the failure characteristics of battery packs involved in collisions and similar catastrophic events. There is no doubt that before greater commercialization can occur, the risks of use must be quantified and appropriate safeguards formulated. Return