NSF Award
8760753
Long cycle-life rechargeable batteries exhibiting high energy densities have potential applications in space craft and other interplanetary vehicles, in equipments operating at above-ambient environments such as oil wells, in electric vehicles, and for electrical load levelling. High reliability, long cycle life and high energy density are prime requirements of batteries for these uses. The PIs propose to design a moderate temperature rechargeable sodium battery that fulfills some of the above needs. They plan to evaluate NaFeO2 and FeOCl as positive electrodes (cathodes) which are expected to show an insertion or intercalation type positive electrode reaction affording very long cycle life. Other advantages of the proposed system are: (1) significantly less corrosion problems than that encountered in the high temperature (>350oC) Na/S battery, (2) little or no self-discharge because of the lower temperature operation and the use of the solid electrolyte, and (3) improved energy efficiency than that possible in the high temperature Na/molten S battery through lower heat losses at the moderately high operating temperature of the batteries. This company is well established and respected and the PI is a leader in this field. A Phase I SBIR grant is highly recommended.
