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DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY

Abstract: 25-Symp-105

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE

Unlocking Next Gen Warfare: Developing Ultra-High Power, Scalable Batteries for DEW & c-sUAS systems

The rapid advancement of aerial threats, including drone swarms and hypersonic weapons developed by near-peer adversaries, highlights the critical need for cutting-edge defense solutions such as Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) and Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS). These systems have the potential to revolutionize modern warfare by providing cost-efficient engagement, improved base protection, and superior surveillance and strike capabilities. However, their widespread adoption is constrained by current battery technology limitations. DEWs, which serve as a powerful defense against both drone and hypersonic missile threats, demand energy sources that are not only compact but also capable of sustaining extended operations at extremely high discharge rates. Eonix's development of an ultra-high power lithium-ion battery marks a transformative step for the Air Force's energy storage capabilities, particularly for DEWs.

To meet the ambitious power requirements of DEW systems, Eonix has designed a novel liquid electrolyte with the highest known lithium ionic conductivity (121.3 mS/cm) that is drop-in compatible with Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) batteries to enable scalable, ultra-high power lithium ion batteries with a power density greater than 10kW/kg, 100C pulse capabilities, and an operational temperature window of -46C to 71C. By leveraging an accelerated materials discovery workflow involving multi-component computational simulation of over 49 million solutions and a robotically assisted laboratory that measured over 600 candidates, Eonix was able to supplant conventional linear carbonate solvents (ethyl methyl carbonate/ dimethyl ethyl carbonate) with high dielectric solvents and a suite of solid electrolyte interphase forming additives resulting in the most ionically conductive lithium-ion battery electrolyte ever reported, which is 10X greater than the industry standard (12.3 mS/cm) and 3X greater than the highest reported conductivity in literature (38.1 mS/cm, 1M LiAsF6 / DMF). Eonix successfully demonstrated a 50% reduction in internal resistance of benchtop cells containing ultra-high conductivity candidate electrolytes with resistances as low as 13 mOhms while the commercial standard exhibited resistances of ~27 mOhm in the same apparatus. This significant reduction in internal resistance is expected to drastically improve the rate capability of existing lithium ion batteries while also improving low temperature performance, increasing round trip efficiency, and reducing waste heat generation during operation translating into a smaller, lighter battery pack with greater deploy-ability and agility for DEW and C-sUAS systems.

During this presentation, Eonix will provide an overview of this novel electrolyte design strategy that utilizes unconventional, industrially available chemicals to significantly modify the performance of commercial lithium ion batteries for specific industries. Eonix will discuss the computational methods employed to down select viable candidates from 49 million solutions, high throughput robotically assisted systems developed to evaluate the physiochemical properties of these materials, and preliminary battery data that showcase the impact of the ultra-high conductivity electrolyte in commercial lithium ion battery prototypes. We will conclude by presenting an updated roadmap towards an economically viable, ultra-high power battery for DEWs based on these findings.

Eonix is interested in soliciting feedback from the DEW audience on impactful near-term targets, preferred formats, and battery feature prioritization such as safety, low temperature operation, etc.

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE