The proposed cell technology could be utilized in all NASA battery applications. In particular the rechargeable lithium metal cell technology could be used in any mission or application that requires low mass and low volume. The absence of an intercalation component on the negative electrode allows for higher discharge rate capabilities. Applications include EVA suits, landers, rovers, habitats, vehicle power, and power for payloads.
The initial market for the proposed technology is military aerospace applications where space is limited and battery energy density is critical. In addition, the technology also would be well suited to powering microdevices, such as remote sensing devices, that would benefit from the increased runtimes and reduced battery size enabled by the increased battery energy density. The proposed technology could also be used in applications that need high power and energy, such as power sources for high energy laser systems. The higher energy and power densities offered are required to meet the weight requirements of this application. The system may also be used in emergency power generators and as a replacement for current power sources employing primary and thermal batteries.
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