Argonne Developing Lithium-ion Vests

In an ongoing project for the U.S. Army Communications-Electronic Research & Engineering Center, Argonne’s Chemical Engineering Division (CMT) is developing a new battery chemistry for research partner Quallion LLC’s battery pack for the Power Vest. Modern military personnel rely on non-rechargeable batteries to power communications, night vision goggles and global-positioning sensors used in training and on the battlefield. The partners are developing a rechargeable, safe, low-cost, lightweight, high-energy density, Li-ion battery system for this application.

The Army’s Power Vest requires almost double the best energy density currently available and safe, stable operation at varying temperatures. Some of CMT’s patented electrode materials and one of its electrolyte systems are being adapted for the vest. Compared to conventional materials, Argonne’s new cathode material extends the useable capacity from 150mA/h per gram to 260. When combined with Argonne’s new process for making spherical dense cathode particles, the combination could provide a 40% increase in available energy from the same size battery.

CMT is currently in discussions with organizations worldwide regarding licensing rights to these base cathode material patents. “This new family of cathode materials,” said CMT’s Michael Thackeray, “is already starting to replace the conventional cathode materials in batteries for consumer electronic applications.”