Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate Research Areas

Advanced Materials for Batteries

Advisor: Wolfenstine, Jeffrey B.  (jeff.wolfenstine@us.army.mil  301-394-0317)
Keywords:  Batteries; Materials; Anode; Cathode; Electrolyte; Lithium; Energy; Power; Safety

The current and future Army demands for increased energy, power, and safety, operating temperature range for Army solider, vehicle, weapons, and sensor application have lead to the development of a wide variety of Li-based chemistries for use as primary or rechargeable batteries. Our research on primary batteries has focused on increasing the energy density and operating temperature by looking at various cathodes and electrolytes, including air batteries with solid electrolytes. For rechargeable batteries, research has focused on increasing the energy, power, safety and operating temperatures, recharge rate by exploring various anode/electrolyte/cathode combinations; including polymer electrolytes, nanophase electrodes, and thin-film electrolytes. Most of the research in both primary and secondary batters centers on the development and characterization of new materials and evaluation of these materials in prototype cells.

References
Allen JL, Jow TR, Wolfenstine J: Journal of Power Sources 159: 1340, 2006
Wolfenstine J, Read J, Allen JL: Journal of Power Sources 163: 1070, 2007