High Temperature All Solid-State LiAl-CO2 Batteries for Venus Missions

The planet Venus is an interesting target for scientific exploration. However, long-duration missions to the surface of Venus present a significant challenge to the power system due to its ambient temperature (390 to 485oC) and high average surface pressure of carbon dioxide (92 bar). Therefore, conventional power technologies including photovoltaic power systems and the conventional batteries could not meet the requirement for Venus surface application. TalosTech LLC and University of Delaware propose to develop a high temperature all solid-state LiAl-CO2 battery with superior specific energy by using a high performance cathode, an innovative tri-layer solid state electrolyte framework, LiAl metal anode, and ambient carbon dioxide at Venus surface as a reactant. During Phase I, the team will demonstrate the feasibility of the high temperature all-solid-state LiAl-CO2 battery with superior specific energy (948 Wh/kg). The successful development of this technology will provide a high energy battery operating 100-600oC, which can be operated on the Venus surface for more than 60 days.

Because of the benefits of the proposed battery system in terms of superior high energy, low cost, simple system, high stability, long life, wide operation temperature, and low self-discharging rate, it can be used on the Venus surface for both short and long durations. This low-cost and simple system also can be used for other planetary exploration missions where there is enough CO2 in ambient atmosphere.

This proposed LiAl-CO2 battery system can efficiently convert CO2 into solid carbon or CO with generating electricity efficiently. The LiAl-CO2 primary battery can be redesigned to Na/K-CO2 battery which could provide 1) a cost-effective and eco-friendly CO2 fixation strategy 2) high efficiency renewable energy storage method.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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