N112-108 TITLE: Innovative Power Generation Technologies for Thermal Battery Replacement

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-201, Conventional Strike Weapons

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: Develop innovative power generation technologies to replace the current thermal batteries used by the Fleet.

DESCRIPTION: Thermal batteries are the primary power source used to generate the energy necessary to actuate a variety of electric-initiator-based energetic devices, such as Cartridge Actuated Devices (CAD) and Propellant Actuated Devices (PAD). However, current state-of-the-art thermal batteries have several shortfalls. For example, they are sometimes unreliable, and, because their shelf life is limited, they are not ideal for applications that are deployed for a long time. Other disadvantages are that each battery is designed for a specific use and each component requiring electric initiation energy needs its own battery. So, in systems incorporating a variety of these components, more than one battery, with the size, shape, and capacity varying according to its use, is needed. This drawback can have a significantly negative impact in weapons in which weight and space are at a premium. Furthermore, thermal batteries do not have the capacity to provide the amount of power required to support missions involving high duty cycles at elevated temperatures. In addition, thermal batteries are expensive and difficult to procure because of the very limited supply base. They also present environmental hazards in their production, use, and disposal because they contain chemicals that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified as harmful.

As such, a need exists to develop an innovative means to generate power that can be used in place of thermal batteries and that fills the cost, environmental, shelf life, and performance gaps that currently exist. Furthermore, the solution must provide the flexibility for multi-application use. Any solution must have the capability of providing 22 volts within 105 milliseconds at 200 degrees Fahrenheit and within 130 milliseconds at negative 65 degrees Fahrenheit and supply a continuous load of 0.95 ampere for at least 225 seconds. Current cutting-edge technologies such as piezoelectric, piezoceramic, and thermoelectric generators show some promise. Piezo-based energy harvesting or scavenging techniques that convert ambient conditions into electrical energy show potential, as well as being environmentally friendly. Possible options to harvest such energy include using piezoelectric, thermoelectric, radio frequency waves, and visible light photovoltaics. Piezoelectrics transduce the mechanical deformation of the crystals from natural vibrations or induced dynamic pressure changes into electrical charges. These charges could be collected and then stored for subsequent use to provide power. Because none of these approaches are sufficiently advanced to meet the aforementioned requirements, a novel and innovative means is required to either enhance these technologies or to develop a new method.

PHASE I: Determine and demonstrate the feasibility of developing an innovative power generation technology to replace thermal batteries that can meet the performance requirements state above.

PHASE II: Based on the findings of Phase I, identify the most promising approach and develop and test a prototype of the power generation technology.

PHASE III: Transition technology to the Fleet for CAD/PAD and other applications.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: A potential market exists in both the consumer electronics area and commercial power supply applications, such as stand-alone electrical generators and/or supplemental electrical energy systems. This technology could directly support new commercial power supply applications in which there are physical size constraints that require a smaller self-contained unit.

REFERENCES:
1. Mallery, M. R., et al. (2008). "Multiphysics model of ammonia borane pyrolysis to H2 gas for fuel cell applications." Proceedings of 44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA-2008-4907. Reston, VA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

2. Teowee, G., Tirmizi, A, & Blachowski, T. J. (2007). "U. S. Navy and the CAD/PAD Joint Program Office Electronic Time Delay Cartridge: SDI Development Program�2007 update." Proceedings of 43rd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA-2007-5133. Reston, VA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

KEYWORDS: Thermal Battery; Piezoelectric; Piezoceramic; Thermoelectric Generator; Energy Harvesting; Energy Scavenging

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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