Li-Ion Battery Technology Assessment for Future NASA Planetary Missions
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
aerospace Li-ion batteries cells low temperature N↗
Engineering topics
Distefano, S.
Publications and source records attributed to Distefano, S..
Lithium-Ion Battery Program Status
The objective of this program is to develop rechargeable Li-ion cells for future NASA missions. Applications that would benefit from this project are: new millenium spacecraft; rovers; landers; astronaut equipment; and planetary orbiters. The approach of this program is: select electrode materials and electrolytes; identify failure modes and mechanisms and enhance cycle life; demonstrate Li-ion cell technology with liquid electrolyte; select candidate polymer electrolytes for Li-ion polymer cells; and develop Li-ion polymer cell technology.
Surampudi, S.↗
First principles nickel-cadmium and nickel hydrogen spacecraft battery models
The principles of Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel-Hydrogen spacecraft battery models are discussed. The Ni-Cd battery model includes two phase positive electrode and its predictions are very close to actual data. But the Ni-H2 battery model predictions (without the two phase positive electrode) are unacceptable even though the model is operational. Both models run on UNIX and Macintosh computers.
Timmerman, P.↗
Effect of chromium and phosphorus on the physical properties of iron and titanium-based amorphous metallic alloy films
Amorphous iron and titanium-based alloys containing various amounts of chromium, phosphorus, and boron exhibit high corrosion resistance. Some physical properties of Fe and Ti-based metallic alloy films deposited on a glass substrate by a dc-magnetron sputtering technique are reported. The films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, stress analysis, SEM, XRD, SIMS, electron microprobe, and potentiodynamic polarization techniques.
Distefano, S.↗
Advanced rechargeable sodium batteries with novel cathodes
Various high energy density rechargeable batteries are being considered for future space applications. Of these, the sodium sulfur battery is one of the leading candidates. The primary advantage is the high energy density (760 Wh/kg theoretical). Energy densities in excess of 180 Wh/kg have been realized in practical batteries. More recently, cathodes other than sulfur are being evaluated. Researchers at JPL are evaluating various new cathode materials for use in high energy density sodium batteries for advanced space applications. The approach is to carry out basic electrochemical studies of these materials in a sodium cell configuration in order to understand their fundamental behaviors. Thus far studies have focused on alternate metal chlorides such as CuCl2 and organic cathode materials such as tetracyanoethylene (TCNE).
Distefano, S.↗
Advanced rechargeable sodium batteries with novel cathodes
Various high energy density rechargeable batteries are being considered for future space applications. Of these, the sodium-sulfur battery is one of the leading candidates. The primary advantage is the high energy density (760 Wh/kg theoretical). Energy densities in excess of 180 Wh/kg were realized in practical batteries. Other technological advantages include its chemical simplicity, absence of self-discharge, and long cycle life possibility. More recently, other high temperature sodium batteries have come into the spotlight. These systems can be described as follow: Na/Beta Double Prime-Al2O3/NaAlCl4/Metal Dichloride Sodium/metal dichloride systems are colloquially known as the zebra system and are currently being developed for traction and load leveling applications. The sodium-metal dichloride systems appear to offer many of the same advantages of the Na/S system, especially in terms of energy density and chemical simplicity. The metal dichloride systems offer increased safety and good resistance to overcharge and operate over a wide range of temperatures from 150 to 400 C with less corrosion problems.
Distefano, S.↗
Studies on niobium triselenide cathode material for lithium rechargeable cells
NbSe3 exhibits superior characteristics such as high capacity, high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, and high discharge rate capability, as compared to other intercalating cathodes. This paper reports the preparation, characterization, and performance of NbSe3. Several electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, constant-current/constant-potential discharges, dc potentiodynamic scans, ac impedance, and ac voltammetry, have been used to give insight to the mechanisms of intercalation of three lithiums with NbSe3 and also into the rate determining process in the reduction of NbSe3.
Ratnakumar, B. V.↗
Electrochemical evaluation of the p-Si/conducting polymer interfacial properties
Results are presented from an experimental investigation of the contact resistance and interfacial properties of a p-Si/conducting polymer interface for solar cell applications. The electronic character of the polymer/semiconductor function is determined by studying the electrochemical behavior of both poly(isothianapthene) (PITN) and polypyrrole (PP) in an acetonitrile solution on p-silicon electrodes. The results obtained indicate that while PITN is intrinsically more conductive than PP, neither passivates surface states nor forms ohmic contact.
Nagasubramanian, G.↗
Corrosion-resistant amorphous metallic films of Mo49Cr33B18 alloy
Corrosion-resistant amorphous metallic alloy films of Mo49Cr33B18 with a crystallization temperature of 590 C were deposited onto glass and quartz substrates by magnetron sputter-quench technique. The amorphous nature of the films was confirmed by their diffuse X-ray diffraction patterns. The deposited films are densely packed (zone T) and exhibit low stress and good adhesion to the substrate. Corrosion current of as-deposited coating of MoCrB amorphous metallic alloy is approximately three orders of magnitude less than the corrosion current of 304 stainless steel in 1N H2SO4 solution.
Ramesham, R.↗
Electrochemical corrosion studies in low conductivity propellants
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is investigating the possibility of developing advanced electrochemical techniques as accelerated compatibility tests for metal/propellant systems which overcome the problems associated with the low conductivity of the liquid propellants (e.g., hydrazines, nitrogen tetroxide). Both DC techniques and AC electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are being evaluated. Progress has been made in experiments involving stainless steel with hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide propellants.
Blue, G. D.↗
Effect of counterions on the formation of ohmic contact between p-Si and poly(pyrrole) film - An ac impedance analysis
Conditions under which poly(pyrrole) (PP) films form ohmic contact with single-crystal p-Si are described. Counterions affect both the conductivity and flatband potential, V(FB), values of poly(pyrrole). While paratoluene-sulfonate-doped PP acts like a switch, the impedance behavior of PP films doped with ClO4(-), BF4(-), or PF6(-) allows evaluation of the V(FB) of these films. The formation of 'quasi-ohmic' and 'nonohmic' contacts, respectively, of PP (ClO4) and PP films doped with other counterions, with p-Si, are explained in terms of conductivity of these films and V(FB) of PP films with respect to that of p-Si. PP film seems to passivate or block intrinsic surface states present on p-Si surface.
Nagsubramanian, G.↗
Corrosion of metals by hydrazine
The mechanism of corrosion of metals by hydrazine has been studied by means of coupons in sealed ampoules and by electrochemical techniques. The variables considered were temperature, CO2 impurity level, alloy composition and microcrystalline structure. The coupon studies, to date, verify that increasng temperature and the presence of CO2 does increase the corrosion rate as expected. The presence of molybdenum in stainless steels to the 3 percent level is not necessarily deleterious, contrary to published reports. The influence of microcrystalline structure and surface characteristics are more dominant effects. However, with Ti-6Al-4V, two different microcrystalline structures showed no significant differences. Corrosion rates of CRES 304 L in hydrazine have also been measured by several electrochemical techniques such as Tafel plots, polarization resistance and A. C. Impedance. This is the first documented work to show that A. C. Impedance can be used with non-aqueous solvents. Preliminary data correlated satisfactorily with the results of the coupon studies.
Lawton, E. A.↗
ECUT: Energy Conversion and utilization Technologies program biocatalysis research activity. Generation of chemical intermediates by catalytic oxidative decarboxylation of dilute organic acids
A rhodium-based catalyst was prepared and preliminary experiments were completed where the catalyst appeared to decarboxylate dilute acids at concentrations of 1 to 10 vol%. Electron spin resonance spectroscoy was used to characterize the catalyst as a first step leading toward modeling and optimization of rhodium catalysts. Also, a hybrid chemical/biological process for the production of hydrocarbons has been assessed. These types of catalysts could greatly increase energy efficiency of this process.
Distefano, S.↗
Photothermal characterization of encapsulant materials for photovoltaic modules
A photothermal test matrix and a low cost testing apparatus for encapsulant materials of photovoltaic modules were defined. Photothermal studies were conducted to screen and rank existing as well as future encapsulant candidate materials and/or material formulations in terms of their long term physiochemical stability under accelerated photothermal aging conditions. Photothermal characterization of six candidate pottant materials and six candidate outer cover materials were carried out. Principal products of photothermal degradation are identified. Certain critical properties are also monitored as a function of photothermal aging.
Liang, R. H.↗
Destruct/non-destruct evaluation of cycled NiCd cells
AC impedance techniques are discussed for a non-destruct analysis of nickel cadmium batteries. A technique for determining battery cycle life is the ultimate goal.
Distefano, S.↗