Non-flammable Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Li-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries with improved safety and that maintain high specific energies, high powers, and wide temperature ranges are needed for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and other platforms. Current lithium-ion batteries contain a highly flammable electrolyte and can combust under failure mechanisms such as overcharging, internal shorting, defects, physical damage, overheating, etc. Lynntech proposes to develop ionic liquid-based electrolytes that are non-flammable and provide high performance required for JSF aircraft batteries, particularly at high rates and over wide temperature ranges. To achieve this, Lynntech will develop non-flammable ionic liquid mixture electrolytes containing functional compounds. The electrolyte composition will be designed to be non-flammable, provide high ionic conductivity, and result in optimal solid-electrolyte interface layers at the anode and cathode. During the Phase I, the electrolytes"properties including flammability and ionic conductivity will be determined, and the the performance and safety will be evaluated in full cells. The advanced non-flammable electrolyte will provide batteries for JSF aircraft that have improved safety while maintaining high performance.