| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | 04 S4.04-8373 |
| SUBTOPIC TITLE: | Deep Space Power Systems |
| PROPOSAL TITLE: | Preparation of All-Ceramic, High Performance Li-ion Batteries for Deep Space Power Systems |
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN
(Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
TPL Inc
3921 Academy Parkway North, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109-4416
(505)344-6744
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER
(Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Tuqiang Chen Ph.D
tchen@tplinc.com
3921 Academy Parkway North, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109-4416
(505)342-4449
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Lithium (Li) ion batteries are among the most promising power sources for many civilian, military and space applications due to their high power and high energy densities. However, current state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries are not suited for operation in deep-space environments including high radiation and an extremely wide operation temperature regime (-100˚C to 400˚C), due to utilization of thermally and electrochemically unstable organic electrolytes.
TPL proposes to develop an all-ceramic, high performance Li-ion battery for deep-space power systems via a novel cell configuration, micro-fiber cells (MFCs), that ensures successful utilization of ceramic materials for all battery components. The superior properties of the proposed MFC-based Li-ion batteries will be achieved via formation and processing of functional graphite fibers that facilitate interfacial contacts and practical utilization of ceramic electrolytes.
In Phase I, TPL will fabricate the proposed MFCs via a solution approach and process the MFCs into rechargeable batteries having a wide operation temperature window, excellent radiation resistance, and a high specific energy. The functional fibers will be structurally characterized and MFC-based batteries will be electrochemically evaluated in the temperature regime. The concept of MFCs will be demonstrated. TPL has extensive experience in Li-ion battery chemistries and technologies. TPL's technical and management teams are well positioned to move this technology into the market.
POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
High performance Li-ion batteries will provide more stored energy for NASA's power systems in satellites, spacecraft, and probes.
POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Lithium batteries have extensive applications in commercial products including electric vehicles, cellular telephones, lap-top computers, digital cameras, tools, and other consumer products.