Next Generation and Domestically Produced Active Materials for Li-Ion Cells

Yardney Technical Products (YTP) has established comprehensive programs to develop and test next generation and domestically produced, high energy, high power and long life anode and cathode materials. This effort was undertaken to support Yardney’s diverse military and aerospace customer base to ensure design heritage and provide demonstrated performance enhancements for new applications. The initial effort includes partnering with several domestic partnerships, focusing on both anode and cathode efforts, as well as investigations into electrolyte and separator materials. The initial effort has focused on the development of mixed metal oxide cathode materials along with cathode materials that include surface stabilizing coatings. The cathode surface stabilization benefits from YTP’s extensive high voltage cathode development efforts in which various high voltage cathodes are being evaluated. The initial testing is demonstrating stability at very high discharge rates (100C continuous, 400C pulses) and low and high temperatures (from -30°C to 85°C). In addition, the cathode materials are being tested in high specific energy designs to support lower rate, moderate temperature applications such as Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). This paper presents the results of these initial material developments with comparisons to the state of the art commercial (foreign produced) materials.