Early Warning Fault Indication System for Li Batteries Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-047 Topic Title: Early Warning Fault Indication System for Li Batteries Proposal No.: N161-047-0325 Firm: Lynntech, Inc. 2501 Earl Rudder Freeway South College Station, Texas 77845 Contact: Anuncia Gonzalez-Martin Phone: (979) 764-2200 Web Site: http://www.lynntech.com/ Abstract: Several factors (such as overcharge, impact, manufacturing issues, etc.) can produce a failure in lithium batteries used by the U.S. Navy. When a fault occurs, the Li battery can release toxic and flammable gases which can start and feed a fire, cause significant equipment damage, and present catastrophic hazards to personnel safety. Early signals of a battery issue can occur internally. If detected early, the system can provide critical warnings of cell issues before they evolve into more hazardous problems. This proposal concerns the development of an early warning fault indication system (EWFIS) for lithium batteries. The proposed system will allow for extensive monitoring of individual cells at high speed in real-time. It will provide monitoring at the cell level of key precursors of battery fault, triggering an alarm when a precursor is detected, and identifying the cell having issues. As part of the Phase I, feasibility of the device will be demonstrated by exposure to repeated simulated ambient battery environmental conditions. During the Phase I Option, the initial layout of the prototype to be built in the Phase II will be performed. During the Phase II, a prototype will be developed, fabricated, tested, and deliver to the Navy. Benefits: The proposed device will be of particular interest to the Federal Government and private industries using Li batteries. Lynntech's EWFIS can provide high speed monitoring to detect and mitigate failure at the cell level to avoid catastrophic failure of Li battery systems. This is particularly important for large lithium batteries needed for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, etc. Use of Lynntech's EWFIS will increase pre-event detection with a decrease in false negative alerts, reducing maintenance cost, and providing safety to prevent catastrophic failure. Private sector application includes monitoring lithium batteries used for hybrid/electric vehicles, grid stabilization, consumer electronics, etc.. Return