Development of a large scale bipolar NiH2 battery

Abstract

The bipolar battery concept, developed in cooperation with NASA, is described in the context of the advantages afforded by near-term IPV and CVP cell technology. The projected performance, development requirements, and a possible approach to bipolar battery design are outlined. Consideration is given to packaging electrodes within a common hydrophobic plastic frame, electrode technology that involves a photochemically etched 0.1 mm thick nickel substrate coated with a 10 mg/sq cm mixture of platinum powder and TFE30, and an electrode design that eliminates the screen and doubles the electrode thickness (from the currently used 0.8 mm) while retaining the active material loading of 1.6-1.8 gm/cu cm. Also covered are thermal management, and electrolyte and oxygen management. It is concluded that a high voltage, high capacity, bipolar NiH2 cell can be configured with proper development for use in large power systems, and that it can provide considerable weight savings.