Low Cost, Lightweight, Rechargeable Lithium-ion Batteries

Yardney Technical Products proposes to develop low cost, long life, safe and environmentally benign lithium-ion batteries ideal for applications sensitive to operational and disposal costs as well as safety andperformance criteria. Phase I of the proposed project will focus on the selection and development of battery materials. A lithiated manganese oxide will be selected as an active cathode material and a carbon selected as an anode material. Methods to prepare electrodes compatible with a continuous manufacturing process will be developed and demonstrated. Non-aqueous electrolytes will be evaluated in the temperaturerange -40 degrees C to +65 degrees C and the optimal candidate selected. A laminate packaging technology will be developed and demonstrated. Prismatic design lithium-ion batteries will be fabricated using the materials developed in this program and these batteries cycled to demostrate the viability of the concepts presented in this proposal. In Phase II of the proposed program, the technology developed in Phase I will be transferred to Yardney's lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility and signifigant numbers of cells manufactured and tested.