PWS (Draft for Synopsis).pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Production of Advanced Aqueous Lithium-ion Batteries

10 July 2024

C.1 Background

The United States (U.S.) Army requires safe, stable and long-lasting power for the use of electronic devices for communication, navigation, and sensing. State-of-the- Art (SOA) rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are limited in energy density to maximize safety and transport. The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) scientists invented a water-based electrolyte system that remains stable in the environment of the lithium-ion battery. Proper cell engineering and materials selection are required for these water-based “aqueous” electrolytes to be in lithium-ion batteries to improve safety in the event of failure. The aqueous electrolytes limit the thermal runaway in the battery cell in the event of violent failure. Early versions of the aqueous lithium-ion battery survived destruction tests and continued to function after being subject to destruction testing.

C.2 Objective

The objective of this contract is to produce lithium-ion battery cells with increased capacity incorporating ARL’s aqueous electrolyte. The Contractor shall accomplish larger-scale coating of electrode materials and cell construction and employ demonstrated techniques for electron-beam curing method of electrodes and aqueous gel electrolytes.

C.3 Requirement

C.3.1 The Contractor shall produce 40 each lithium-ion battery cells using ARL’s water-based electrolyte. These cells will have two (2) different form factors: 20 each pouch cells that match the current specifications of the Conformal Wearable Battery (CWB) and 20 each cylindrical cells in the 18650 form factor.

C.3.2 The Contractor shall produce cells that contain ARL’s aqueous electrolyte system with appropriate modifications to provide the best performance and scalability.

The cells will also use ARL Government Furnished Information (GFI) carbonate-based anode protection electrolyte system which employs various solvents and additives to ensure anode passivation. The Contractor may modify these electrolytes with components that improve and ensure compatibility with electrodes. The cells shall use a variety of cathode materials employed by the Contractor including lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and disordered rock salt lithium-excess titanium niobate cathode materials to determine which cathodes and paired anodes provide the highest energy density, best cycling performance, and greatest stability and safety during failure. The best combination of electrolytes and electrodes will be used to construct deliverable cells.

C.3.3. The Contractor shall work with ARL scientists on material properties, cathodes and paired anodes development, mil-spec requirements, and problems/issues that may arise.

C.3.4 The Contractor shall participate in reviews, to be held at least quarterly, with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (KO), to be scheduled by the COR. The meetings will discuss the progress of the contract, performance of the materials under development, and any problems that have arisen or are expected to arise.

C.3.5 The Contractor shall participate in status and project progress meetings with the COR and technical staff on a biweekly basis to discuss progress, issues, and ideas.

C.4 Distribution Statement

C.4.1 Distribution C. Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies and their contractors (CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY: To protect information and technical data that advance current energy generation and storage technologies focused on decreasing warfighter vulnerability and deliver new operational capabilities for the U.S.

Army) (24 June 2024). Other requests for this document must be referred to DEVCOM

ARL FCDD-RLA-E.

C.4.2 CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY: To protect information and technical data that advance current energy generation and storage technologies focused on decreasing warfighter vulnerability and deliver new operational capabilities for the U.S. Army.

C.5 Period of Performance (PoP)

Phases: Notes: Rough PoP:

Phase 1: Optimization of electrolyte and testing to ensure performance with electrode chemistries

- 9 months (FY25)

Phase 2: Pilot production and testing of Pouch Cells and initial evaluation of 18650s

- 6 months (FY25-26)

Phase 3: Pilot production and testing of 18650 Cells

- 9 months (FY26)

C.6 Deliverables: Deliverable cells will be shipped to the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, MD, for internal evaluation and testing. Deliverables will be as follows:

1. 20 each pouch cells with increased capacity, conforming to Mil-Spec conformable wearable batteries.

2. 20 each 18650 cylindrical cells with increased capacity.

3. Report of comparison of cathodes and paired anodes provide the highest energy density, best cycling performance, and greatest safety during failure.

Contracting Officer:

X

Contracting Officer (KO)

Legal Advisor:

X

Legal Advisor