High Energy Density Next-Generation Batteries for Lunar/Mars Surface Missions

Physical Sciences Inc.’s Imperia Batteries division will design and prototype a wide-operating temperature Li-ion battery that will be able to serve as a high-performance energy storage solution for Lunar/Mars surface missions. The electrolyte and directly applied separator technologies developed in the Phase I effort will be scaled-up using a previously established cell design to meet identified system requirements. At the cell level, these technologies have been shown to widen the operating temperature range when compared to COTS alternatives. At the battery level, a custom-designed battery management system and housing unit equipped with thermal management material will be designed to enable operation in a broader range of temperature environments, enabling function in environments previously unexplorable given their extreme temperature fluctuations. Imperia will work with the Zenyuk group at the University of California, Irvine and the Pol group at Purdue University to validate cell performance and guide system redesign efforts. These efforts will enable the delivery of a prototype unit to NASA at the end of the Phase II program, showcasing Imperia’s rapid prototyping capabilities. The envisioned goal of the developed technologies is the eventual production and direct sale of energy modules tailored to meet NASA’s specific application needs.

Utilizing existing cell and battery designs as a baseline, Imperia identified multiple potential NASA applications. Previous Mars rover vehicles historically used cells of varying capacities; however, the most recent designs have used 43 Ah cells in an 8S2P configuration. Imperia is currently constructing cells with similar capacities and battery packs with similar operating voltages for other efforts which will be used as a baseline for modification. Imperia has produced high-energy density battery designs implementing cells ranging in capacity from less than 1 Ah to over 70 Ah through the incorporation of next-generation component technologies. Developed systems have been integrated into a wide array of DoD compliant energy storage solutions, including UAV, UUV, and soldier-worn applications. These proven systems make Imperia’s manufacturing workflow uniquely able to meet NASA’s similar need for lightweight battery solutions that can provide reliable energy to Lunar/Mars modes of transportation, habitation, and all associated wearable equipment. By adjusting XYZ dimensions of the chosen cell design, Imperia would be able to transfer the developed technologies (and their benefits) seamlessly between each system. The wide-operating temperature performance benefits offered by Imperia’s developed technologies are thus widely applicable to all future space batteries. In addition to NASA, commercial battery manufacturers and other government agencies, including SOCOM, NAVSEA, the Air Force, and the Army have needs for batteries capable of operating at extreme temperatures – especially the extreme cold. Commercial applications such as medical cold chain logistics, environmental monitoring systems in frigid regions, and industrial machinery operating in extreme cold conditions would also benefit from the wide-operating temperature range and enhanced energy density provided by Imperia’s proposed module design. Imperia has the capability to support the prototyping and low-rate production required for validation of the battery designs to support these markets. If the required volumes exceed Imperia’s production capabilities, licensing the design to larger manufacturers would be one option to facilitate technology adoption.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.