SBIR-STTR Award

Advanced Non-Electrochemical Energy Storage
Award last edited on: 6/4/2021

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Navy
Total Award Amount
$1,239,806
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
N192-133
Principal Investigator
Bhargav Gajjar

Company Information

Vishwa Robotics and Automation LLC (AKA: Bhargav Gajja~Aerospace Robotics)

One Broadway 14th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
   (321) 276-0380
   info@vishwarobotics.com
   www.vishwarobotics.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 07
County: Middlesex

Phase I

Contract Number: N68335-20-C-0010
Start Date: 10/21/2019    Completed: 12/14/2020
Phase I year
2020
Phase I Amount
$239,900
US Navy deploys a variety of battery systems worldwide that powers UUV (Unmanned Under Sea Vehicles), USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicles), marine sensors, propulsion systems, electronics, and back-up power systems in support of Naval operations. These batteries need to deliver peak power and also high specific energy ((Wh/kg)) and high energy density ((Wh/m^3) but these two requirements are often difficult to achieve within the same battery technology. The naval surface and undersea battlespace magnifies the importance of specific energy and energy density (reduced mass and reduced volume), safety (fire risk, environmental risks, operating risks), and performance across a range of external environments (temperature, pressure). To solve these problems Vishwa Robotics is proposing a novel non-electrochemical battery that has much higher specific power and energy density than LiON batteries. Preliminary physics based results in this proposal demonstrate at a minimum: an ability to achieve specific energy and volumetric density far greater than current state-of-the-art lithium-ion and other batteries. Operation in extreme environments could be achieved.

Benefit:
Transition opportunities for this technology include battery systems that power marine sensors, propulsion systems, electronics, and back-up power systems. Private sector commercial potential includes consumer electronics (cell phone, laptop, radios), vehicles, renewable energy systems, utilities, and back-up systems or power conditioning systems.

Keywords:
thermal runaway, thermal runaway, alternative batteries, high energy density, energy storage

Phase II

Contract Number: N68335-21-C-0167
Start Date: 4/23/2021    Completed: 4/28/2023
Phase II year
2021
Phase II Amount
$999,906
US Navy deploys a variety of battery systems worldwide that powers UUV (Unmanned Under Sea Vehicles), USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicles), marine sensors, propulsion systems, electronics, and back-up power systems in support of Naval operations. These batteries need to deliver peak power and also high specific energy ((Wh/kg)) and high energy density ((Wh/m^3) but these two requirements are often difficult to achieve within the same battery technology. The naval surface and undersea battlespace magnifies the importance of specific energy and energy density (reduced mass and reduced volume), safety (fire risk, environmental risks, operating risks), and performance across a range of external environments (temperature, pressure). To solve these problems Vishwa Robotics is proposing a novel non-electrochemical battery that has much higher specific power and energy density than LiON batteries. Preliminary physics based results in this proposal demonstrate at a minimum: an ability to achieve specific energy and volumetric density far greater than current state-of-the-art lithium-ion and other batteries. Operation in extreme environments could be achieved.

Benefit:


Benefit:
Commercial opportunities for this technology include battery systems that power marine sensors, propulsion systems, electronics, and back-up power systems. Private sector commercial potential includes consumer electronics (cell phone, laptop, radios), vehicles, renewable energy systems, utilities, and back-up systems or power conditioning systems. A big market exists for electric vehicles, helicopters, eVTOL and airplanes of the future that will double or even triple the range achieved by current Li-ION batteries.

Keywords:
alternative batteries, thermal runaway, energy density, specific energy