High Energy Density, Fast Discharge Li-S Batteries for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion

The U.S. aviation industry is a vital part of the economy, contributing more than $1.9 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2019. Modern propulsion systems consume significant amounts of fuel and produce substantial carbon emissions. To reduce cost and minimize carbon emissions, NASA has identified the need for new energy storage technologies to support widespread integration of electrified aircraft propulsion. Electrification of aircraft is a major part of NASA’s Aeronauts Research Mission Directorate (ARMD). Within NASA’s Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), EAP research supports Mega Driver 2 (Affordability, Sustainability and Energy Use) and Strategic Thrust 3 (Ultra-Efficient Subsonic Transport). Giner’s solution is a catalyst-incorporated Lithium-Sulfur battery, utilizing specially formulated high temperature electrolytes and integrating passive components for improved safety and thermal runaway prevention. The Phase I program will focus on materials engineering, formula optimization, and integration of optimized electrode, electrolyte, and safety components into pouch cells to demonstrate performance. The result is an energy storage device offering > 400 Wh/kg at the system level at 2C discharge, high temperature operation up to 100 °C, can fast charge (15 minutes or less), and incorporated thermal runaway prevention. When successful, the proposed technology will provide widespread benefits to the EAP industry, enabling air taxi, urban mobility, passenger aircraft, fleet operations and other applications. The Phase I deliverable is successful demonstrate of the above performance milestones summarized in a technical report.

A safe, high energy density battery which can offer fast charge/discharge and a wide temperature operation window would have widespread impact on the EAP industry. Giner’s solution would enable long duration EAP flights for all-electric propulsion systems and could also pair with hybrid systems. Beyond EAP, Giner’s solution would be applicable for NASA missions where safe, reliable and high energy density storage solutions are required. Non-NASA applications include electric vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites for civilian and military applications, stationary energy storage, and consumer portable electronic devices.

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