Advanced Cathode for Ultra-High Energy Li-Ion Batteries

Advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are currently under development for Extravehicular Activity Suits, Altair Lunar Landers, and Lunar Mobility Systems. However, low voltage operation and low capacity cathode of current Li-ion batteries limits both volumetric and gravimetric energy density. High capacity cathode materials with high voltage operation are needed to offer the required gains at the integrated cell level to meet NASA's goal. Lynntech proposes to develop advanced cathode that can work at high potential and provide high capacity, long cycle life, and high rate capability. During Phase I project, Lynntech will synthesize the cathode materials, optimize the compositions and structures, evaluate the cathode's properties, and determine the performance of cathodes in half cell and full cell containing high voltage electrolyte and silicon-carbon composite anode. The technology is currently estimated at TRL 3 and is expected to result in TRL 4 at the end of the Phase II project. The advanced cathode can enable ultra energy density Li-ion batteries which can provide significant mass and volume savings and operational flexibility for NASA near-term exploration missions.

High capacity cathode with long cycle life and high rate capability can significantly increase the energy density of rechargeable Li-ion batteries for NASA applications including Lunar Mobility Systems, Extravehicular Activity Suits, Altair Lunar, the International Space Station, and other systems. Other NASA applications would include satellites, remote power equipment, telecommunications systems, remote sensors, detection devices. The preparation technique of cathode materials will be scalable.

In addition to NASA applications, the advanced cathode can provide improved energy density, cycle life, and rate capability of rechargeable Li-ion batteries for both private sector commercial and military applications. Private sector commercial applications include plug-in electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, aircraft, and consumer electronic devices (cellular phones, laptop computers, and camcorders). Military applications include aircraft, soldier power, and communication systems.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.