This project will develop and evaluate numerous innovations to improve the performance of rechargeable li/cuc12 cells using inorganic electrolytes and thick cuc12 electrodes (e.g. 2.5 to 5.0 mm) suitable for very large batteries for missile silo energy storage. The lithium/inorganic electrolyte/cuc12 cell has been found to give excellent cycle life and energy density (e.g. 200 cycles at 75 whr/lb) but suitable thick and strudy cuc12 electrodes for very large batteries (i.e. 50 kwhr) have not yet been developed and tested for the 1000 deep cycles required for the missile silo application. The approach in Phase I will be to evaluate several innovations to improve the performance and cycle life of thick cuc12 electrodes in li/cuc12 cells. In particular, changes in the composition, current collector grid and porosity of the cuc12 electrode will be investigated. The performance of the li electrode and several promising innovations involving the separator and the cell design will also be investigated.
