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High Energy Density VB2/Air Batteries for Long Endurance UAVs

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-11-M-5170
Agency Tracking Number: F112-127-0057
Amount: $150,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF112-127
Solicitation Number: 2011.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-09-26
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
2501 Earl Rudder Freeway South
College Station, TX -
United States
DUNS: 184758308
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Christopher Rhodes
 Scientist
 (979) 764-2200
 christopher.rhodes@lynntech.com
Business Contact
 G. Hisaw
Title: Sr. Contracts Administrator
Phone: (979) 764-2200
Email: renee.hisaw@lynntech.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

ABSTRACT: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are becoming increasingly important for the military and commercial sectors. Small UAVs used for surveillance of battlespace must be capable of long duration flights while providing the necessary data to aid military personnel. Current battery technologies have limited energy densities and provide small UAVs with ~1-2 hours of operational time, which significantly limits their capabilities. The Air Force is currently interested in operating small UAVs for 4-10 hours or longer, depending on the type of mission. To extend the flight time of small UAVs, Lynntech proposes to develop an advanced high energy density battery based on a unique vanadium boride (VB2) anode and an air cathode. Lynntech"s VB2/air battery utilizes a multiple electron electrochemical energy storage process which results in a battery with several fold higher energy density than existing batteries. The Phase I project will fabricate and test small scale VB2/air cells and determine projected metrics for full scale cells to demonstrate the ability to provide long endurance UAVs compared with those utilizing current batteries. During the Phase II, Lynntech will develop and test full scale cells for long endurance UAVs. BENEFIT: Lynntech"s high energy density VB2/air batteries have significant commercial potential based on their significantly higher projected energy densities compared with current primary and rechargreable batteries Specific benefits for DoD include extended duration unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight times, reduced carry weight for soldiers, and extended duration sensors. The battery has a dual use for both military and civilian applications. Military applications include UAVs, soldier power, communication systems, weapons systems, remote sensors, and surveillance systems. Private sector applications for Lynntech"s VB2/air batteries include consumer hearing aids, long endurance sensors, and a broad range of consumer electronic devices.

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

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