Advanced Cathode for High Energy Li-Air Batteries Navy SBIR FY2015.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.2 Topic No.: N152-093 Topic Title: Advanced Cathode for High Energy Li-Air Batteries Proposal No.: N152-093-0127 Firm: Lynntech, Inc. 2501 Earl Rudder Freeway South College Station, Texas 77845 Contact: Xuguang Li Phone: (979) 764-2200 Web Site: http://www.lynntech.com/ Abstract: The energy needs of naval aircraft are increasing significantly as the Navy modernizes its fleet. Current lithium-ion cells are insufficient for meeting these requirements. Li-air chemistry has the potential to meet the Navy�s energy demands. However, the state-of-the-art non-aqueous Li-air cells suffer from sluggish charging kinetics, clogging of mass transfer pathways and high resistance originating from the discharge product of Li2O2 at the cathode. An advanced cathode with low overpotential, high reversibility and good cyclability is needed to produce the Navy�s required gains. Lynntech proposes to develop an advanced hierarchical cathode based on two-dimensional holey graphene and hybrid metal oxide bifunctional catalysts to enable high energy, high power, and long cycle life Li-air batteries. During the Phase I, Lynntech will prepare, characterize, and evaluate advanced cathodes at the full cell level. In addition, Lynntech will perform a critical safety and electrical performance evaluation of Li-air cells. During the Phase II, Lynntech will optimize the cathode materials and structures to develop a prototype Li-air battery and determine performance characteristics. Lynntech will also initiate scale-up and design processes as well as develop preliminary cost structure. Benefits: An advanced cathode with high capacity, reversiblity, and rate capability, as well as good cyclability can significantly increase the energy density, power density, and cycle life of rechargeable Li-air batteries for Naval aircraft applications. Specific benefits of this technology for the Navy include extended mission time, reduced weight, and increased capabilities. Other DOD applications include military vehicles, soldier power, communication systems, weapons systems, remote sensors, detection devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and silent watch surveillance systems. Civilian applications include electric and hybrid vehicles, consumer and industrial electronics devices, portable medical devices, telecommunications devices, and auxiliary power units. Return