NASA Glenn Research Center Electrochemistry Branch Battery and Fuel Cell Development Overview This presentation covers an overview of NASA Glenn’s history and heritage in the development of electrochemical systems for aerospace applications. Current developments related to batteries and fuel cells are addressed. Specific areas of focus are Li-ion batteries and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cells systems and their development for future Exploration missions. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Glenn Research Center Electrochemistry Branch Battery and Fuel Cell Development Overview Battelle Energy Storage Roadmap Workshop SSeeaattttllee,, WWaasshhiinnggttoonn January 24, 2011 Michelle A. Manzo Chief, Electrochemistry Branch [email protected] 216-433-5261 www.nasa.gov 1 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Electrochemistry Branch Overview • GGRRCC EElleeccttrroocchheemmiissttrryy BBrraanncchh - EEnneerrggyy SSttoorraaggee System Background and Heritage • Overview of Battery and Fuel Cell Development EEfffforts • Electrochemistry Branch Capabilities and FFaacciilliittiieess www.nasa.gov 2 National Aeronautics and Space Administration RRPPCC EElleeccttrroocchheemmiissttrryy BBrraanncchh Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems Background and Heritage www.nasa.gov 3 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Electrochemistry Branch - Batteries Overview • Batteries pprovide a versatile,, reliable,, safe,, modular, lightweight, portable source of energy for aerospace applications. Products/Heritage • Advanced battery technologies are needed to Li-Ion: Lithium-Ion meet the challenges of future NASA missions NNii-CCdd:: NNiicckkeell-CCaaddmmiiuumm Experience Ni-H : Nickel-Hydrogen 2 • Lead battery development effort for Exploration Ni-MH: Nickel-metal hydride Technology Development and Demonstration Ni-Zn: Nickel-Zinc PPrrooggrraamm, HHiigghh EEffffiicciieennccyy SSppaaccee PPoowweerr SSyysstteemmss •Developed and validated component and advanced Ag-Zn: Silver-Zinc designs of Ni-Cd and Ni-H cells adopted by NASA, Na-S – Sodium Sulfur 2 cell manufacturers and satellite companies. LiCFx: Lithium-carbon monoflouride •Developped ligghtweigght nickel electrodes,, bippolar nickel hydrogen battery designs •Evaluated flight battery technologies for ISS •Jointly sponsored and conducted Li-ion battery development program with DoD that developed Li- IIoonn cceellllss uusseedd oonn MMaarrss EExxpplloorraattiioonn RRoovveerrss •Lead NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Systems Working Group –agency-wide effort aimed at ensuring the quality, safety, reliability, and performance of flight battery systems for NASA missions. •Conducted electric vehicle battery programs for ERDA/DOE www.nasa.gov 4 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Electrochemistry Branch Fuel Cells and Regenerative Fuel Cells OOvveerrvviieeww •Fuel cells provide a primary source of power that can support a wide range of aerospace applications. Products/Heritage •Regenerative fuel cells combine a fuel cell with an electrolyzer that is capable of converting the fuel cell AAFFCC - AAllkkaalliinnee FFuueell CCeellll products into reactants when energy is supplied. PEM – Proton Exchange Membrane •Fuel cell /electrolysis based systems are enabling for various aspects of future NASA missions. SOFC – Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Experience RFC - Regenerative Fuel Cell Systems •Lead fuelcell/electrolysis development effort for Exploration Technology Development and Demonstration Program, High Efficiency Space Power Systems Project •GGeemmiinnii, AAppoolllloo, aanndd SShhuuttttllee tteecchhnnoollooggyy ddeevveellooppmmeenntt •Terrestrial energy program management for Fuel Cell systems for Stand Alone Power •SOFC and PEM Fuel Cell development for aeronautics applications •AAllkkalliine ffuell cellll upgraddes ffor SShhuttttlle •PEM powerplant development for launch vehicles •Fuel cell demonstration for high altitude scientific balloons, Helios •RFC Developpment for Higgh Altitude Airshipps •Conducted first ever demonstration of a closed loop hydrogen-oxygen regenerative fuel cell system www.nasa.gov National Aeronautics and Space Administration Enabling Technology Development and Demonstration Program High Efficiency Space Power Systems FFuueell CCeellllss aanndd SSppaaccee RRaatteedd LLiitthhiiuumm-IIoonn BBaatttteerriieess Exploration missions require advanced Overall Objectives: electrochemical energy storage devices to •Mature advanced technologies to TRL 6 meet power requirements and enable •Integrate component technologies into vvaarriioouuss mmiissssiioonn sscceennaarriiooss prottottype systtems tto valliiddatte perfformance •Transition technology products to future Fuel Cells for Surface Systems: Exploration Missions Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology offers major advances over existing alkaline fuel cell technology Objective: Develop Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell technology with enhanced safety, longer life, lower mass and volume, higher peak-to- nominal power capability, higgher reliability compared to alkaline fuel cells Customers: Landers, Rovers, Orbiters Participants: Space Rated Lithium Ion Batteries: GRC – Lead Lithium ion batteryy technologgyy offers lower mass & Fuel Cells: volume, wider operating temperature range than alkaline battery chemistries (Ag-Zn, Ni-H2, Ni-Cd, JSC, JPL, KSC Ni-MH) Batteries: Objective: Develop human–rated Li-ion batteries having JPL, JSC hhiigghh ssppeecciiffiicc eenneerrggyy,, eenneerrggyy ddeennssiittyy,, lloonngg ccaalleennddaarr life Industry Partners, SBIR Partners, IPP Partners Customers: Landers, EVA, rovers, base power, orbiters. www.nasa.gov National Aeronautics and Space Administration Li-Ion Cell/Battery Development www.nasa.gov National Aeronautics and Space Administration Li-Ion Battery Development Objectives: Develop Flight Qualified, Human-Rated Li-Ion cells with increased safety and reliability and mass and volume reductions Approach: • Identify chemistries most likely to meet overall NASA goals and requirements wwiitthhiinn aallllootttteedd ddeevveellooppmmeenntt ttiimmeeffrraammee – “High energy” and “ultra high energy” chemistries identified and targeted to meet customer requirements. • Utilize in-house and NRA Contracts to support component development – Develop components to increase specific energy (anode, cathode, electrolyte) – Develop low-flammability electrolytes, additives that reduce flammability, battery separators and functional components to improve human-safety; • EEnnggaaggee iinndduussttrryy ppaarrttnneerr - mmuullttii yyeeaarr ccoonnttrraacctt – Provide recommendations for component development and screening – Scale-up components – Manufacture evaluation and screening cells – Design and optionally manufacture flightweight cells that address NASA’s goals Cell development TRL definitions • Complete TRL 5 and 6 testing at NASA TRL 4: Advanced cell components integrated into a flight design cell • Leverage outside efforts TRL 5: Performance testing on integrated – SSBBIIRR//IIPPPP eeffffoorrttss, DDooEE aanndd ootthheerr ggoovveerrnnmmeenntt c e ll ll s hh o w s g o a ll s m e t programs TRL 6: Environmental testing on cell (vibration, thermal) shows robust performance 8 www.nasa.gov National Aeronautics and Space Administration Chemistry Identification - Feasibility Study to Determine Ultra Higgh Energgy Chemistry Customers’ top priority is safety. Based on customer requirements, team determined safety goals: No fire or thermal runawayy at the compponent level No chemistry exists that can meet customers’ aggressive specific energy goals. Desire for a safer chemistry presents a set of conflicting objectives – SSaaffeerr cchheemmiissttrryy ccoommbbiinneedd wwiitthh uullttrraa hhiigghh ssppeecciiffiicc eenneerrggyy In 2008 a feasibility study was initiated to determine the best advanced chemistry to meet EVA and Altair’s requirements on the established sscchheedduullee ((iinn ttiimmee ffoorr ccuussttoommeerr SSyysstteemm DDeessiiggnn RReevviieewwss)) aanndd wwiitthhiinn available resources. www.nasa.gov