NASA, the military, and even consumer product manufacturers are limited in their ability to impliment lithium ion battery technology by the effective operating temperature of the state-of-the-art electrolytes. In this effort T/J Technologies will develop novel ionic liquid electrolytes. Ionic liquids, salts that melt at very low temperatures, show potential as solvents that will allow lithium ion batteries to operate at temperatures as low as -80oC and as high as 100oC. Additionally, ionic liquid electrolytes are well suited for space applications because they have near zero vapor pressure and are a non-flammable alternative to the organic solvents commonly used in batteries. It is anticipated that this technology will benefit a broad range of Exploration mission applications including portable power for landers, rovers, and astronaut equipment, as well as stationary energy storage applications such as base power, and storage systems for crew exploration vehicles and spacecraft. In phase I we will deliver a laboratory prototype cell capable of performing between the NASA temperature extremes of -60oC and 60oC while retaining greater than 80 % of its room temperature capacity and cycle life. In a Phase II effort, the electrolyte will be transitioned to production type cells and fully qualified for safety, life and space use.
