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Electro Energy to Continue Development of Ultra-High Energy Density Li-Ion Chemistry
9 May 2008
Electro Energy Inc. has won a contract award of $750,000 sponsored by Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to continue development of ultra-high energy density, rechargeable, lithium battery chemistry for Air Force applications.
The US Air Force SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Phase II contract award identifies a nanocomposite, rechargeable, lithium battery cathode material providing high-specific energy, and Electro Energy’s proprietary cell design to develop a more powerful, compact, rechargeable battery. A nanocomposite electrode fabricated with a metal fluoride, when fully developed, is expected to provide packaged batteries with specific energies of 400-500 Wh/kg, twice the energy of today’s state-of-the-art lithium-ion polymer cells.
SBIR is a three-phase process: Phase I, technology feasibility is determined and contracts are valued up to $100,000, lasting from six to nine months. Phase II, (awarded to successful Phase I contract winners) the necessary R&D is accomplished to produce a well-defined product/process. These awards typically span 2 years to accomplish the primary research effort and are valued up to $750,000. Phase III is the commercialization of the technology using private sector or federal agency (non-SBIR) funding to commercialize a Phase II project result.
This battery technology would be applicable to many military applications and a variety of commercial markets.
Electro Energy currently offers lithium-ion batteries in the 18650 format, with capacities running from 1.9Ah-2.4Ah with 2.2Ah and 2.4Ah cells. The company is developing a Lithium-ion Polymer (LIP) cell design that is modeled after Electro Energy’s proven bipolar designs using NiMH chemistry. The 30V/9Ah wafer Cell Lithium-ion prototype battery module has the following characteristics:
- 9.7 Ah, 285 Wh battery
- 210 Wh/kg at the cell level, 185 Wh/kg battery
- Capable of 1C continuous rates and 4C pulses
- Cycle life up to 500 full DOD cycles
May 9, 2008 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: Leo | May 09, 2008 at 10:31 AM
500 ... not exactly an inspiring cycle life.
Posted by: Neil | May 09, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Ultra high energy density (500 + Wh/Kg), quick charge/discharge rate and extended life span (5000 + cycles) is realy what the car industry needs to replace ICE with PHEVs and BEVs.
If Electro Energy (or other USA firms) can develop this battery (even with Armed Forces Funds) it would be a move in the right direction.
Lets hope that we will protect and mass produce what we developed before copy cats move in.
Posted by: Harvey D | May 09, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Since this is an Air Force SBIR, and assuming it moves on phase III, this will be produced in the US, at least for a while (the military likes to by made in America, and it makes the local congressman and senators look good if manufactured in their district/state). The question then becomes how quickly does this tech get licensed to a foreign manufacture?
Posted by: Ryan K | May 09, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I think the way non classified technology comes out of national labs is that it is licensed within the country. The idea is the tax payers paid for it, they ought to benefit from it.
According to the SBIR web site:
"Small companies retain the intellectual property rights to technologies they develop under these programs."
It would all depend on the strings attached in the fine print. It appears that the Phase III may be made outside the U.S.
"Phase III is the commercialization of the technology using private sector or federal agency (non-SBIR) funding to commercialize a Phase II project result."
Posted by: SJC | May 09, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Most probably the higher end of storage technology will remain under wraps for now. But electrification of transport does not need huge pulse power. It will be helpful to shrink battery design, 250+Wh/kg with cycle times around 3500 would be a good start. As to protection... Only if emerging nations are required to respect international patent law combined with reasonable licensing policy. Otherwise it's copied immediately.
It looks like this funding might be appropriate for ultracap research. One assumes there's a certain amount of this under way - in which case it's a matter of spinning commercial versions of the technology out to the automotive application. Moving beyond oil is clearly in the national interest.
Posted by: gr | May 10, 2008 at 05:58 AM
I think this battery is intended for battlefield high energy lasers.. for missile defense
Posted by: Herm | May 10, 2008 at 01:53 PM
SION and Polyplus have both claimed to have produced lithium-sulphur cells with ~400 Wh/kg, and are targeting 600 Wh/kg. Now if only they could sort out the safety and cycle life issues....
Posted by: clett | May 13, 2008 at 08:25 AM
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