Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes, Sensors
OBJECTIVE: Seek innovative solutions to improve performance of the next generation reserve batteries. Improvements should allow for geometric flexibility of batteries, increased energy density, longer shelf life, and manufacturability.
DESCRIPTION: Currently, a variety of reserve batteries power missile defense applications. These power systems have specific requirements that include a long shelf life (up to 20 years), high voltage levels (>100V in some cases), high power density, high energy density, safety, and reliability. Examples include thermal batteries and lithium oxyhalide. Current thermal batteries can achieve peak specific powers greater than 10kW/kg and specific energies greater than 125Whr/kg at the battery level. Similarly, lithium oxyhalide batteries can achieve peak specific powers greater than 2kW/kg and specific energies greater than 250Whr/kg at the battery level.
Future missile defense applications are projected to require more power and longer runtimes in smaller spaces, which will necessitate greater power density and energy density. Technologies that increase operating time or reduce size and weight are desired. In addition, current reserve batteries are geometrically constrained. Missile defense applications seek battery technologies that could enable a more conformal shape in order to achieve a higher volumetric energy density. The proposer could achieve improvements through enhanced packaging efficiency, materials, or electrolytes.
Focus areas for manufacturability enhancements include improved processes for materials, assembly, inspection, quality control, and modeling. Seek manufacturing processes that allow scalability with minimal design changes of the new battery technology. Designs should allow for electrical verification testing of the battery and periodic health monitoring throughout the battery shelf life.
PHASE I: Complete an initial design for the battery technology to demonstrate the proof of concept. Include laboratory experimentation and/or modeling to verify the proposed concept. Deliver an initial design for the prototype along with performance estimates.
PHASE II: Complete a detailed prototype design and construct a prototype for testing in a simulated environment. Testing should verify design assumptions and performance estimates. Include a detailed design and detailed performance analysis from the prototype testing.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Work with missile defense integrator to refine requirements and demonstrate the technology in a relevant environment. A successful Phase III would transition the technology into a missile defense application.
COMMERCIALIZATION: Pursue commercialization in both DoD and non-DoD applications. Reserve batteries have uses in other military and commercial applications including guided munitions, launch systems, and single use emergency systems.
KEYWORDS: Reserve Batteries, Packaging Efficiency, Energy Density, Power Density, Shelf Life, Manufacturability
