NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Micron-Sized Fibrous Oxide Electrode Materials for High Energy Density, Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

State-of-the-art LixMnO2 cathode materials for high energy density, rechargeable lithium batteries will be made in the form of micro-fibers by a novel technique, and tested in prototypical lithium cells. Cathodes of LixMnO2 have shown very good potential for high power densities in research cells. However, as these materials are currently made - in pressed powder form - they suffer from low conductivity and poor cycle life, and they are difficult to fabricate into "jelly roll" electrodes for high capacity cells. The innovation should greatly improve rate and cycling capabilities, enable the fabrication of flexible "felt" electrodes for cylindrical cells, and reduce production cost. Objectives are to 1) fabricate and characterize fibrous oxide electrode materials, 2) test prototypical lithium cells and compare their performance to conventionally prepared materials, and 3) demonstrate the feasibility of large scale electrode production. The program will demonstrate that fibrous oxide electrodes can be incorporated into rechargeable lithium batteries that are safe, have long cycle and shelf lives, and have very high power densities.

Reliable, high energy, high power rechargeable batteries would find a large market in portable consumer products such as telephones, televisions, video cameras, computers and electric vehicle propulsion. The proposed innovation in oxide fiber fabrication could also produce new fibers for use in structural composite materials.

Dr. Mark F. Welker
TPL, Inc.
3921 Academy Parkway North, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109-4416

TPL, Inc.
6808 Academy Parkway East, NE, Suite A2
Albuquerque, NM 87109-4465