Battlefield Power Generation, Storage, and Distribution (Proposed)

Projects proposed for FY10 funding seek to solve operational and logistical challenges presented by increasingly energy and technology dependant military forces. Basic research is proceeding on projects listed below with other funding. If funds become available under the UOL, progress towards applied research and prototypes will be possible.

See more about promising nanotechnology applications

High Current-rate Batteries

Electrochemical cell setup
Nanostructure cathode and optimized electrolyte battery materials

Work involves nanostructure cathode and optimized electrolyte battery materials for more efficient exchange of lithium ions over many charge-discharge cycles.

If funded, this project will explore the use of nanomaterials to produce lighter weight, higher capacity, long-lasting lithium-ion batteries. This could lead to reduced loads on individual Marines and soldiers, and reduced re-supply requirements for military operations.

Remote Generation of Hydrogen Fuel

Beta-voltaic battery

This project involves photocatalytic films that produce hydrogen from water and sunlight, for use in fuel cells. This technology will remove the step of “reforming” conventional fuels, such as JP-8, to produce hydrogen, thereby reducing the logistical burden of military operations in forward areas. The only ingredients are water and the sun’s energy.

Beta-Voltaic Batteries

Beta emitter

If funded, this project will evaluate icosahedral borides as semiconductors to generate electricity when exposed to beta-radiation. The goal is to produce safe, small, light, very long lasting batteries that power common electronic devices used by Marines and soldiers in the field. Beta-emmissions are easy to shield and materials with short half-lives would be used to avoid special battery disposal requirements at the end of the battery’s life, which could last on the order of 25 years. If successful, this technology could result in a dramatic reduction in the load carried by ground combat personnel and for re-supply operations.

In the proposed study, the icosahedral borides B12As2 and B12P2 would be considered as candidate semiconductors for betavoltaics. These rarely studied compounds have the remarkable ability to self-heal radiation damage. The proposed study would examine the potential to exploit the radiation resistance of B12As2 and B12P2 in betavoltaics. The research will focus on the fabrication of prototype devices. Fabrication steps will include epitaxy of device layers on silicon carbide and B12P2 single crystals substrates; characterization of the electrical properties of the layers; optimizing metal contact formation; characterizing the properties of diodes made in this manner; and testing the ability of such devices to generate an open circuit voltage in the presence of a beta-emitting radioisotope.