Safety via Thermal Shutdown for Space Rated Batteries

Li-ion battery safety has inspired many safety features from CID, to safety valves. However, none of the current features protect a battery from internal over-current, which can be caused by foreign material contamination, dendrite formation, defects in separator or high impact on the battery. Another problem is that these devices shut-down the function of the entire battery, even when the problem arises from a localized spot. The entire battery shutdown is costly, especially when the battery size increases. Space batteries are especially of concern because of long mission life and large battery size. Quallion is interested in using a novel material developed by UCSB as a means to accomplish a battery which eliminates short circuits via a thermal trigger; this material could be used to develop safe, high-energy high energy, long life li-ion space rated batteries.

The safety can be an asset in any application where safety is of particular concern, especially in larger format batteries. Quallion foresees the safety feature being used for commercial and military vehicle batteries.

This safety enhancement would be used for Space-rated batteries for multiple applications: ranging from surface missions to satellite batteries and launch vehicles.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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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