SBIR-STTR Award

The need for the United States Navy to maintain a superior global Anti-Submarine Warfare capability is heavily dependent on sonobouys and Navy has identified a need to develop batteries to power sonobuoys which have higher power capabilities than currently used technology. Nanowise LLC proposes to develop a high power MnO2/CFx battery based on interpenetrating conductive network of nanostructures. The battery is a primary lithium battery utilizing a hybrid cathode consisting of MnO2 nanowires, CFx nanospheres and carbon nanotubes additive. The hybrid configuration makes use of both the better rate performance of MnO2 and the higher specific capacity of CFx material. The interpenetrating network configuration and the use of carbon nanotubes can enhance the physical contact between cathode components, improve the rates of electron and lithium ion transport and hence enhance the power capability. The synthesis is based on hydrothermal reactions which make the process scalable and reduces the cost of the battery.

Benefit:
The proposed research can lead to the development of novel materials as electrode for primary lithium batteries with high power and high energy performance, ideal battery to be used to power sonobouys. In addition to military use, this novel battery configuration would have broad commercial applications. Potential commercial application includes portable consumer electronics, power tools, medical equipment, UAV for civilian use, and more. The battery development strategy can also be extended to secondary batteries with applications such as hybrid and electric vehicles.

Keywords:
high power, high power, hybrid electrode, high energy, Battery, conductivity aid, Interpenetrating Network