SBIR-STTR Award

Next-Generation Lithium Battery Enabled by Holey Graphene-based Electrodes
Award last edited on: 8/18/2024

Sponsored Program
STTR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Navy
Total Award Amount
$1,239,955
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
N21B-T023
Principal Investigator
Xuguang Li

Company Information

Lynntech Inc

2501 Earl Rudder Freeway South
College Station, TX 77845
   (979) 764-2200
   requests@lynntech.com
   www.lynntech.com

Research Institution

South Dakota School of Mines

Phase I

Contract Number: N68936-22-C-0017
Start Date: 1/4/2022    Completed: 3/24/2023
Phase I year
2022
Phase I Amount
$239,962
Rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are widely used for a wide variety of commercial and naval electronics and electrical applications. The weight of the naval power battery system can be a significant portion of the overall weight of the portable electrical device on board a ground or aerial vehicle. Furthermore, the energy capacity of existing Li-ion batteries is not adequate to support prolonged operating times of current and future naval platforms, such as unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and portable communication and surveillance systems, for extended mission endurance. Moreover, current batteries necessitate frequent recharging in the range of hours. To meet Navys requirements, Lynntech, in collaboration with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDM), proposes to develop a next-generation high energy Li battery with holey graphene-based electrodes (holey graphene-stabilized ultrathin Li anode and thick high capacity coated cathode), and high voltage electrolytes. During the Phase I, Lynntech and SDM will synthesize and characterized holey graphene-based anodes and cathodes as well as high voltage electrolytes. We will fabricate and test lab-scale cells, and demonstrate the feasibility of the technology. Lynntech will also describe an initial design for prototype cells along with performance estimates and an improvement plan. During the Phase II, we will further fabricate and demonstrate a complete cell. We will demonstrate and validate the performance of the prototype battery to meet the Navys requirements. Lynntech will assess the risks associated with the storage and operation of the battery and propose viable risk mitigation solutions. We will deliver a prototype to NAVAIR for further evaluation. During the Phase III, Lynntech will work with a battery manufacturer to fully develop and transition the lithium battery for naval applications in various UAV platforms.

Benefit:
Lynntechs high energy Li batteries with holey graphene-based electrodes (stablized thin Li anode and thick high capacity cathode) and high voltage electrolytes has signifiant commercial potential based on its ability to provide high energy, high power, high safety, and long cycle life across a wide range of temperatures. Lynntechs high energy Li batteries have both DOD and civilian applications. DOD applications include Navy hand-held portable electronics and small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), soldier power, military vehicles, communication systems, weapons systems, remote sensors, detection devices, and silent watch surveillance systems. Civilian applications include drone, electric and consumer and industrial electronics devices, portable medical devices, telecommunications devices, aircraft, and auxiliary power units.

Keywords:
high voltage electrolyte, high voltage electrolyte, Graphene, Li-ion battery, specific energy, Li battery, carbon nanotubes, Carbon-Based Nanostructures, holey graphene

Phase II

Contract Number: N68936-23-C-0005
Start Date: 8/30/2023    Completed: 8/29/2025
Phase II year
2023
Phase II Amount
$999,993
Rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are widely used for a wide variety of commercial and naval electronics and electrical applications. The weight of the naval power battery system can be a significant portion of the overall weight of the portable electrical device on board a ground or aerial vehicle. Furthermore, the energy capacity of existing Li-ion batteries is not adequate to support prolonged operating times of current and future naval platforms, such as unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and portable communication and surveillance systems, for extended mission endurance. Moreover, current batteries necessitate frequent recharging in the range of hours. To meet Navys requirements, Lynntech, in collaboration with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT), is developing a next-generation high energy Li battery with graphene-based electrodes (graphene-stabilized ultrathin Li anode and thick high-capacity coated cathode), and high voltage electrolytes. During the Phase I, Lynntech and SDSMT have synthesize and characterized graphene-based anodes and thick cathodes as well as high voltage electrolytes. We have fabricated and test lab-scale cells and demonstrate the feasibility of the technology. During the Phase II, we will further improve the anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes developed in the Phase I. We will further fabricate and demonstrate a complete cell. We will demonstrate and validate the performance of the prototype battery to meet the Navys requirements. Lynntech will assess the risks associated with the storage and operation of the battery and propose viable risk mitigation solutions. We will deliver a prototype cell to NAVAIR for further evaluation at the end of Base and Option period, respectively. During the Phase III, Lynntech will work with a battery manufacturer to fully develop and transition the Li battery for naval applications in various UAV platforms.

Benefit:
Lynntechs high energy Li batteries with graphene-based electrodes (stabilized thin Li anode and thick high-capacity cathode) and high voltage electrolytes have significant commercial potential based on its ability to provide high energy, high power, high safety, and long cycle life across a wide range of temperatures. Lynntechs high energy Li batteries have both DOD and civilian applications. DOD applications include Navy hand-held portable electronics and small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), soldier power, military vehicles, communication systems, weapons systems, remote sensors, detection devices, and silent watch surveillance systems. Civilian applications include drone, electric and consumer and industrial electronics devices, portable medical devices, telecommunications devices, aircraft, and auxiliary power units.

Keywords:
Graphene, Li battery, Li-ion battery, high voltage electrolyte, carbon nanotubes, specific energy, Carbon-Based Nanostructures, holey graphene