Flight-Certified Lithium-ion Battery
Navy STTR FY2015.A


Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2015.A
Topic No.: N15A-T001
Topic Title: Flight-Certified Lithium-ion Battery
Proposal No.: N15A-001-0109
Firm: Progeny Systems Corporation
9500 Innovation Drive
Manassas, Virginia 20110
Contact: Dave Beers
Phone: (808) 447-9427
Abstract: Progeny Systems Corporation and University of Colorado - Colorado Springs team proposes to develop Naval Aviation Flight-Certified Lithium (LI)-ion Battery (NAFCLiB) to provide a safe, reliable, modular and scalable high energy density, long life, low self-discharge battery pack monitored by a robust physics-based battery management system (BMS) suitable for flight certification and employment on Naval aircraft. BMS control algorithms ensure safety and maximize battery pack performance and longevity. Best available BMS methods leverage known mathematical models of battery-cell dynamic behavior to infer the present battery-pack operational state, to calculate prognostics, and to take action for abnormal behavior. BMS based on empirical models work but are fundamentally deficient. Historically, physics-based models have been too complex to implement, however recent research breakthroughs suggest it is possible for high-fidelity reduced-order physics-based models of cells, with similar complexity to equivalent-circuit models, but which retain predictive capability of the full-order physics-based models from which they are derived. The Phase I Base effort will develop the physics-based model and BMS control system, assess its suitability compared with traditional empirical models, and show feasibility with a MATLAB-based demonstration. The Phase I Option effort will develop and test a prototype NAFCLiB implementation of one "module" of Li-ion cells.
Benefits: The Naval Aviation Flight-Certified Lithium (LI)-ion Battery (NAFCLiB) will meet the electrical needs of aircraft in a safe and effective manner in operational environments. Upon obtaining flight certification, the technology will directly transition for use in Navy platforms such as F/A-18E/F, H-60, and F-35, as well as Air Force and Army platforms. With demonstrated safety and reliability, flight-certified Li-ion battery technology will also be in demand by commercial aviation.

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