Calcium-based Battery Development for Space Technology Applications

Mobile energy storage devices are essential to the success of exploratory missions in space. When astronauts return to the moon and eventually travel to Mars, it is crucial that the portable high-specific-energy devices they depend on for extravehicular activity will be unerringly reliable and safe. As the current designs for intercalation-based lithium-ion batteries near their performance limits, it has become clear that new and innovative approaches to energy storage are needed. A compelling, potentially viable alternative is calcium-based batteries, which offer high theoretical energy densities, promising safety features, and novel electrochemical conversion reactions that could support the next generation of manned space missions. The field of calcium-based batteries is an exciting and relatively unexplored research area with a low technology readiness level. The goal of this proposal is to engineer a calcium metal electrode that, if successful, will enable rechargeable, high-specific-energy calcium-based conversion batteries. To achieve this, the first objective is to design and create a stable synthetic surface film on a dry calcium electrode that can enable reversible calcium reduction, unlocking the rechargeable functionality. The second objective is to examine the electrochemical properties of the synthetic calcium electrode in a conversion-based battery, focusing the battery metrics for space technology applications. This project will utilize research facilities at MIT that allow for controlled chemical reactions in inert environments, as well as electrochemical testing. The project will also utilize analysis facilities available at MIT to examine film morphology and chemical composition. Collaboration with NASA engineers will be an important component throughout the scope of the proposal to deploy a more informed approach to the electrode design process.

Mobile energy storage devices are essential to the success of exploratory missions in space. When astronauts return to the moon and eventually travel to Mars, it is crucial that the portable high-specific-energy devices they depend on for extravehicular activity will be unerringly reliable and safe. As the current designs for intercalation-based lithium-ion batteries near their performance limits, it has become clear that new and innovative approaches to energy storage are needed. A compelling, potentially viable alternative is calcium-based batteries, which offer high theoretical energy densities, promising safety features, and novel electrochemical conversion reactions that could support the next generation of manned space missions.

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