TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Ground/Sea Vehicles

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-273 - T-45 Naval Undergraduate Flight Training System; JSF

OBJECTIVE: Develop thermally stable high energy Lithium-ion battery technology for Navy aircraft in order to meet increasing power and energy demands, satisfy mission operational temperature requirements, and provide increased reliability while reducing weight.

DESCRIPTION: Increasingly demanding mission requirements placed on Navy aircraft and other military applications have necessitated high energy and high power storage systems capable of operating over a broad temperature range. High energy and high power Lithium-ion systems have proven themselves in many military, commercial and aerospace applications. However, continued development of this technology is required in order to fully satisfy the broad operational temperature range and high energy density requirements of Navy aircraft batteries. Presently the temperature range of the technology is limited to a maximum temperature of 60 degrees centigrade. Operating temperatures for existing aircraft batteries is 71 degrees centigrade with exposure up to 85 degrees centigrade. Novel approaches are sought to make the electrodes stable in electrolyte at these temperatures. With technology as it is now, the batteries have a short service life and high operating price if used.

The intent of this effort is to focus innovative research on solving the technical challenges associated with adapting Lithium-ion battery technology to satisfy the demands placed upon Navy aircraft. The technical goals include, but are not limited to, (1) enhancing the thermal stability of electrolytes; (2) improving the compatibility of electrolyte/electrode interfaces; (3) improving separator systems; and (4) increasing the battery energy density. Achieving these goals will improve both battery system reliability and mission performance.

The complete battery systems developed under this topic should demonstrate functionality and stability over a wide temperature range (-40�C to +80�C), high energy density (> 200 Wh/kg at the battery level), low self-discharge (<5% per month), good cycle life (>5,000 at 100% depth of discharge cycles), and long calendar life (>5 years service and storage life).

PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of proposed battery system design of meeting Navy aircraft battery requirements. Develop a cell design and cell chemistry that will support these requirements; demonstrate in scaled or full-size test cells.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype battery system for test and evaluation to requirements. Demonstrate manufacturing feasibility and evaluate cost estimates for manufacture of batteries for form, fit and function replacements on Navy aircraft.

PHASE III: Perform functional evaluation of the battery system (including flight demonstration if necessary).

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The results of this work can be directly applied to provide high energy Lithium-ion batteries for use in commercial aviation and automotive applications.

REFERENCES:
1. MIL-B-29595. "Batteries and Cells, Lithium, Aircraft, General Specification For." Military Specification, 29 June 2000.

2. Cohen, S., F. Puglia, J. Hall, and R. Scott. "Design, Thermal Analysis and Testing of Very Large Lithium-Ion Cells." Proceedings of the 41st Power Sources Conference, (June 14-17, 2004), Session 14.

3. Deroy, C., R. Gitzendanner, F. Puglia, D. Carmen, and E. Jones. "Lithium-Ion Technology for Aerospace Applications." Proceedings of the 41st Power Sources Conference, (June 14-17, 2004), Session 17.

4. M.C. Smart, S. Hossain, R. Loutfy, and B. V. Katnakumar "Performance Characterization of Lithium Ion Cells Possessing Carbon-Carbon Composite-Based Anodes Capable of Operating over a Wide Temperature Range" 41st Power Sources Conference, (June 14-17, 2004) Session 23

5. B. L. Lucht, C. L. Campion, W. Li, B. Ravdel, J. F. DiCarlo, R. Gitzendanner, K. M. Abraham "Suppression of Decomposition Reactions of Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolytes" 41st Power Sources Conference, (June 14-17, 2004) Session 26

6. T. Guseyno, M. Hurley, B. Deveney, S. Naing, W. Johnson "Development of Prismatic Li-Ion Cells for Unmanned Aircraft" 10th Electrochemical Power Sources R&D Symposium (August 20-23, 2007)

7. D. Britton, T. Miller and W. Bennett "Thermal Characterization of Lithium-Ion Cells" 10th Electrochemical Power Sources R&D Symposium (August 20-23, 2007)

KEYWORDS: Battery Systems; Lithium Ion; Electrical Systems; Energy Storage; Aviation; High-energy Density.

TPOC: (301)342-0810
2nd TPOC: (301)995-4559

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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