The purpose of this proposal will be to develop and demonstrate a solid-state lithium-ion battery (LIB) cell employing a composite carbon-lithium anode to realize energy densities in excess of 600 watt-hours/kilogram. Lithium-metal anodes have the highest theoretical energy density among LIB anode materials (>3000mAh/g); however, Li-metal experience large volume changes upon lithiation that degrades other LIB cell components and makes meeting the Navys target of 85% capacity after 1000 cycles difficult. As part of this work, highly-porosity 3D carbon nanostructures will be developed and coated with lithium to form high-surface-area networked composites that are capable of high rate-performance and capacity while presenting optimal free volumes that will mitigate the ill effects of lithium expansion for enhance battery cycle life. Experimental coin cells will be prepared pairing experimental anodes with 5-volt nickel-rich-NMC cathodes and the proposers recently-developed polymer-ceramic composite solid-state electrolyte. The novel electrolyte will mitigate dendrites that can compromise cycle life, facilitate the use of 5-volt cathodes, and provide the cells with a temperature operating range of -50C to 250C far in excess of the Navys original requirements. The final piece of the Phase I effort will entail designing and planning the development and evaluation of multi-layer pouch cells for a Phase II effort, as well as conducting a customer discovery survey within the Navy to source a memorandum of understanding for a Phase II proposal.
Benefit: Central to the Navys next-generation expeditionary warfighting capabilities will be the implementation of highly energy dense, highly durable, highly temperature-resistant, long lifespan battery energy storage devices. New communications and surveillance systems exact electrical loads that quite simply cannot be supplied by current battery technologies effectively. Similarly, the deployment of other tactical technologies such as unmanned aerial systems, railguns, electromagnetic aircraft launch systems, and submarine propulsion systems has been stifled by the limitations of the current state of the art in lithium-ion batteries. While the specific topic of this proposal puts emphasis on improving battery power performance and output, the operating temperature range of batteries is another metric that this proposal will attempt to address. Current batteries operating temperature range of -15C to 60C, and capability of exploding and causing fire above 60C, makes them a limiting factor in the DoDs ability to execute missions and combat threats in near-peer climates. If successful, this proposal will produce for the Navy and DoD a solid-state lithium-ion battery with a new carbon nanostructure-based anode of sufficient energy density and thermal resilience to be an enabling technology for a vast array of potential mission-critical applications in naval surface warfare systems, aerial systems, and subsea systems. Meeting these performance, safety, and durability metrics for the Navy will also make the proposed technology highly effective in commercial electric vehicle and renewable energy storage applications.
Keywords: energy storage, energy storage, battery safety, tactical power, Batteries, solid-state
