Compact and/or MEMS-based gas-sampling sensors for analysis of battery offgassing Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-056 Topic Title: Compact and/or MEMS-based gas-sampling sensors for analysis of battery offgassing Proposal No.: N101-056-0877 Firm: NexTech Materials, Ltd. 404 Enterprise Dr. Lewis Center, Ohio 43035 Contact: Lora Thrun Phone: (614) 842-6606 Web Site: http://www.nextechmaterials.com Abstract: Availability of robust and reliable sensors for battery health monitoring is essential to the safe implementation and use of re-chargeable batteries in military applications. Lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, silver-zinc, and lithium ion batteries, for example, are critical to a number of existing and emerging power systems in naval vehicles. When over-charged, degraded or damaged, each of these batteries emits hazardous gases that can cause explosions if left unchecked. In the proposed Phase I SBIR project, NexTech Materials, Ltd. will leverage its ceramic gas sensor technology platform to develop sensor devices aimed at battery health monitoring for Navy applications. Two types of sensors will be pursued. Through optimization of its chemi-resistive hydrogen sensor technology, NexTech will develop a sensor capable of detecting low concentrations of hydrogen for monitoring of hydrogen-emitting batteries (i.e. lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and silver-zinc). Through material substitutions and optimization studies, NexTech will also adapt its sensor technology for monitoring gaseous species emitted from degraded lithium ion batteries. In the Phase I Option, NexTech will design a prototype device and test plan, for fabrication and execution in Phase II, that integrates these discreet sensor technologies into a single battery health monitoring device. Benefits: Successful development and demonstration of the proposed sensor device will benefit a range of military and commercial applications, providing reliable detection of deteriorating or damaged batteries, and early warning of potential explosive or hazardous conditions. Batteries are critical to a number of power systems for naval applications, including motive power for unmanned underwater vehicles, emergency back-up power for critical ship service operations, and start-up and/or load-leveling power when hybridized with fuel cells. The proposed sensor technology would enable early detection of battery deterioration. Such information could be used to trigger a range of responsive actions to protect the system from catastrophic failure, from routine maintenance to full system shutdown. Additionally, a battery health monitoring device has significant and immediate commercial market opportunity. Back-up battery/uninterruptible power supply systems, for example, is a rapidly growing market as the need for more reliable power in data centers and for remote power for telecom base stations increases. The proposed sensor has direct applicability in these applications as well. Return