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Advancing High Energy Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
Completed
TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)
Description
Lithium-Ion batteries have been a main source of energy for many aerospace applications over the past decade. Future space missions are facing a number of challenging requirements, including significant increase in specific energy, approaching 500 Wh/kg, and energy density of 700 Wh/l at cell level. Compared to state-of-the-art technology today, a reduction in mass and volume are necessary, along with improvements for functioning in harsh space environments and an increase in reliability. Yardney Technical Products, Inc., a world leader in cutting-edge battery technology, in collaboration with Purdue University, proposes developing lithium-sulfur battery technology. This will have a cathode based on a novel, sulfur mesoporous carbon composite. In addition, the proposed Phase I research will include lithium dendrite suppressive electrolyte for a significant improvement in safety.
Benefits
Li-S batteries find various applications in NASA's deep space missions where areas of emphasis include weight and volume performance improvements and safety advancements in human-rated systems. Possible applications include extravehicular activities, landers and rovers.
Li-S batteries find various applications in NASA's deep space missions where areas of emphasis include weight and volume performance improvements and safety advancements in human-rated systems. Possible applications include extravehicular activities, landers and rovers.
Details
| Technology area | Aerospace Power and Energy Storage > Energy Storage > Electrochemical Storage: Batteries |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | Yardney Technical Products, Inc., East Greenwich, RI |
| Start date | 2014-06-20 |
| End date | 2014-12-19 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
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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