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Energy Storage Systems for Very High Altitude Very Long Endurance Solar Aircraft

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: W31P4Q-08-C-0006
Agency Tracking Number: 07SB2-0583
Amount: $98,916.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: SB072-041
Solicitation Number: 2007.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2008
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-05-06
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2009-01-05
Small Business Information
263 Decatur Street
Atlanta, GA 30312
United States
DUNS: 038154956
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Prabhakar Tamirisa
 Sr. Scientist
 (404) 584-2475
 ptamirisa@excellatron.com
Business Contact
 Dmitriy Matveyenko
Title: Accountant
Phone: (404) 584-2475
Email: dmatveyenko@johnsonrd.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The Lithium-oxygen electrochemical couple has the potential to form the basis of a very high specific energy, rechargeable battery for the very high altitude, very long endurance solar aircraft. Recent progress in the application of non-aqueous electrolytes to realize the benefits of this chemistry has resulted in limited success in terms of providing a long endurance, regenerative system. We propose to investigate a variety of approaches to improve the cycle life, reliability, and safety of the Lithium-oxygen battery, both in an oxygen atmosphere and in an “air breathing” mode. Our work on improving the performance characteristics of the Lithium-oxygen/Lithium-air battery will focus on the implementation of a solid state, Lithium ion electrolyte in the battery to provide a stable interface with both the anode and cathode to control passivation phenomena at the electrodes, promote good morphology of redeposited Lithium metal during charging, and protect the anode from chemical reaction with the cathode reactant. Polymer(s) or ceramic/glass electrolytes will be the choice for the solid state electrolytes, and may be used in conjunction with liquid electrolytes. In addition, the application of ionic liquid based electrolytes in the Lithium-oxygen battery technology will be explored. Furthermore, we will maintain adequate power density in the battery despite the introduction of solid-state Li+ conductors in the battery through interface engineering.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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