Lithium-ion cells are presently being considered for use in a wide range of aerospace applications. Cells for these aerospace applications, such as F-16 and JSF aircraft, are required to operate at rates up to 15 degreesC and at temperatures from -40 to 71 degreesC. To address these requirements, a series of experiments has been undertaken to empirically determine those factors that limit performance. The first experiment compares three different electrode weight loadings and two different anode particle sizes. A chemistry identified from this experiment was able to increase room temperature rate capability by > 500%. Pulse discharge rates as high as 70 degreesC and continuous discharge rates of 20 degreesC were demonstrated. Furthermore, cell performance of 1 degreesC at -40 degreesC and 4 C at -30 degreesC has been demonstrated. A second experiment evaluated the use of non-solid/electrolyte interface (SEI) forming conductive diluents in the anode. This experiment did not identify any advantages to the conductive diluent at temperatures above -20 degreesC. However, at a discharge rate of 1 degreesC at -40 degreesC, the group with the highest level of diluent offers 300% more capacity than the baseline experimental group with no non-SEI forming diluent. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
