Safe, High-Energy and Performance Na-O2 Battery

Innovative research on superior catalytic cathode and solid state electrolyte to develop sodium oxygen chemistry as a safe, high energy, cost effective and long cycle life battery. We propose the development of a new battery system based on sodium (Na)-O2 chemistry with: 1) high theoretical energy of 1600 Wh/kg; 2) equilibrium discharge potential of 2.3V; and 3) rich abundance of Na. Na-O2 is an attractive and promising new system that has potential to achieve a rechargeable battery that exceeds 400 Wh/kg. Li-O2 technology suffers from an irreversible reaction forming Li2O2, yielding a high over-potential, inferior cycling and poor efficiency

NASA's future ESMD, SMD, SOMD and ARMD missions demands high energy density batteries. This energy storage technology is for space applications such as EVA, Lander, and Rover. Provides more electric aircraft and other transportation applications, with lower cost and no resource issues compared with lithium (Li) while retaining the majority of Li metal's electrochemical qualities. Commercial potential for Na-O2 is considerable as virtually all battery powered products in the commercial and military market demand greater energy capacity per unit mass and/or volume. The 2012 global market for rechargeable LIB technology was near $11.7 billion. As demand grows, a $25 billion market is projected by 2016 for high capacity batteries.

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