This Phase I SBIR will demonstrate the functionality of a "Bimodal Lithium Reserve Battery." The primary goals of the program are to: 1) Reduce the weight and size of the Lithium Reserve Battery in order to realize greater power and energy densities and; 2) Provide flexible configuration and packaging to improve integration options with the overall missile system. A novel approach will be explored whereby a cell stack will initially be "wet" with a neutral electrolyte and the battery system will contain a separate reservoir with the acidic high molarity electrolyte component. In the initial state, the battery can serve as a low discharge power source. Upon high power activation, the high molarity electrolyte is injected into the "wet" cell stack and will infuse with the neutral electrolyte to provide high power capability Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: Lower battery costs; alternative sources of power for advanced technical applications; greater power density; longer shelf/storage life; greater flexibility in power/battery configerations
Keywords: battery, lithium, bi-modal, flexible configeration, power density, reduced weight
