N121-067 TITLE: High Energy Density Chemistry Source for Temporary Torpedo Electrical Power

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 404: Undersea Weapons Programs (MK 54 and MK 48 torpedo programs.)

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Identify and develop a high power density chemistry source with low profile and volume attributes for Navy applications.

DESCRIPTION: The MK48 Torpedo requires a temporary bridge power supply until main engine activation and alternator power becomes available. The power density requirements to maintain active memory, telemetry, ongoing processing, and weapon fuzing competes within the existing volume of the torpedo for the new functionalities being planned. An innovative application of new temporary energy storage technology would provide a solution as well as support economical and environmental Navy goals. The existing costs for portable and expendable power systems is $3K per unit and yearly estimated procurement cost of $2.1M.

A new high density power chemistry source could entail research in areas such as high energy density alloys; smart materials; and mixtures combining materials such as graphene based crystalline structures to bend, expand, or contract to hold more resident voltage or shaped memory polymers with martensitic-heusler phase change properties coupled for high energy storage applications.

Concepts should be based on novel approaches to improve temporary energy storage capabilities as opposed to the thermal based battery technology being used. The effort would culminate in the development of a low cost, highly reliable, maintenance free, and long shelf life solution for the power source that is ecologically supportive. Power source key performance parameters are single electrical event activation that is less than or equal to 0.775 seconds, delivery of 225 VDC to 300 VDC into a load of 450 Watts for a period of 11 seconds, reliability of 0.99, and life expectancy greater than 12 years.

Development efforts involve performing a preliminary review of the design concept(s), producing prototype units for land and in-water evaluation and validation testing, conducting an assessment of readiness for production, and providing detailed drawings and documentation specifying the performance of the solution.

Phase II efforts may be classified because the company may need access to secure information. Phase I concept development will not require secure access and will be unclassified.

PHASE I: The company will develop concepts for high power density power sources in the range of 225 VDC to 300 VDC. The concepts should be capable of driving a 1.5 Amp load current for 11 seconds with a reliability of 0.99. The feasibility of the concepts in meeting Navy requirements will be demonstrated through experiments and analyses. A Phase II development plan with performance goals and key technical milestones will be provided

PHASE II: Based on the results of Phase I and the Phase II development plan, the company will produce prototype high energy power sources capable of delivering 225 to 300 VDC into a 450 Watt load. The company will evaluate the prototype to determine if the prototype is capable of meeting Navy requirements and the performance goals established in Phase I. Compatibility with the torpedo interface will be established. Based on the evaluation results, the prototype will be refined into conceptual designs for Government review. Additional prototypes based on the conceptual design may be built and evaluated to validate intended performance. The evaluation shall include several demonstration tests of effectiveness to include temperature range, pressure, vibration, and shock testing and cycle (high) demand testing for USN verification. A Phase III development plan to transition the technology to Navy use will be provided.

PHASE III: If Phase II is successful, the company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use should a Phase III award be made. The company will support the Navy in tests and validations to certify and qualify the new power source for Navy use. The power source will be tested in an operationally relevant environment to determine its effectiveness, conformance to Navy requirements, and readiness for shipboard use. The company will support any necessary shipboard tests.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Product potentially has applications in other military weapon systems and commercial markets requiring a standalone, low cost, long shelf life, high energy, short duration power source.

REFERENCES:
1.Tester, Jefferson W; Drake, Elisabeth M; Driscoll, Michael J; Golay, Michael W; Peters, William A (July 2005). Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-20153-7. OCLC 58451915.

2. Nanoparticulate coatings for enhanced cyclability of LiCoO2 cathodes, Journal of Power Sources 146 (2005) 65-70", Fey, George Ting-Kuo, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li 32054, Taiwan, ROC, Cheng-Zhang Lua, Jiun-Da Huanga, T. Prem Kumara, 1, Yu-chen Chang, Department of Chemical Engineering, Yuan-Ze University, Taoyuan, Nelli 301, Taiwan, ROC. "

3. Candace K. Chan, Hailin Peng, Gao Liu, Kevin McIlwrath, Xiao Feng Zhang, Robert A. Huggins & Yi Cui, High-performance lithium battery anodes using silicon nanowires, Nature Nanotechnology 3, 31 - 35 (2008)

4. Crossover Battery, Configuration Item NAVSEA Specification 6300534

KEYWORDS: high density power chemistry source; stand alone temporary power system; torpedo energy source; short duration power source; long shelf life; low profile volume power

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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