NAWCWD – TechLink Quick Facts

Patent Marketing Summary Title / New, Stronger,Longer-Lasting Batteries
Patent Marking Summary Sub-title / 40% Improvement! Solvent free. Rechargesthousands of times at very high temperatures.
VITAL STATISTICS
Patent # / 6965509 / Patent Date (MM/DD/YYYY) / 11/15/2005 / Branch of Military / U.S. Navy
DoD Lab / Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA
Patent Title / Poly (3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene)-based capacitors using ionic liquids as supporting electrolytes
What is it / Fast battery / TechLink to Patent
Inventors / Reynolds; John R. (Gainesville, FL), Zong; Kyukwan (Spartanburg, SC), Stenger-Smith; John D. (Ridgecrest, CA), Anderson; Nicole (Seattle WA), Webber; Cynthia K. (Ridgecrest, CA), Chafin; Andrew P. (Ridgecrest, CA)

Scientists at China Lake now have two patents for enhanced capacitors and batteries using ionic liquids. New batteries are stronger, solvent free, and capable of recharging thousands of times at very high temperatures.

OFFICIAL PATENT ABSTRACT
A supercapacitor comprising a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte.
MARKETING SUMMARY
Existing Technology
Today’s capacitors do not last. A car battery can handle about three cycles at high depth of discharge and has trouble operating at low temperatures. Many battery systems are unable to handle high power (fast charge / discharge), and battery systems have to be over-designed to handle high-power loads. Portable energy storage is becoming a critical problem for both the civilian and the military. The Navy has several power leveling initiatives and there is a demonstrated need for power sources that can store more energy than capacitors and deliver more power than batteries. Other needs are for multifunctional batteries, conformal batteries. These devices must also be able to withstand the temperature extremes listed in military specifications.
New Technology
This new China Lake technology holds promise for dramatically improving today’s batteries by as much as 40%. These new enhancements create greater stability and improve energy storage. The new batteries have a long shelf life, work at low temperatures, can provide pulse / peak power for longer periods, and can handle high power for many cycles. These new polymer capacitors can handle tens of thousands of charges at a high depth of discharge and can operate below 0°Celsius as well as withstand temperatures up 175° Fahrenheit. In addition, the active part of the charge storage device is entirely made of plastic. Future battery concepts include lithium sulfur batteries.
This ambitious undertaking began in the late 1990s, came to fruition in 2005, and technologies have been evolving since. Scientists at NAWCWD, working with Georgia Tech, developed these devices in a collaborative effort funded by the Office of Naval Research. Researchers are working hard to improve the density significantly before the technology transitions to industry. China Lake continues to be the Navy's point of contact for analyzing and testing portable power and energy storage devices.
How It Works
Researchers incorporated an ionic liquid into the device and used certain electrochemical growth techniques. A supercapacitor comprising a poly (3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte or an ionic liquid.
Who Benefits
Any industry that uses portable power.
BENEFITS (Prioritized Bulleted List)
Major Benefits
  • New, stronger, longer lasting batteries
  • 40% improvement over traditional batteries
  • Solvent free, can withstand thousands of charges at very high temperatures.

OPPORTUNITY
Applicable Industries / Customers
Unlimited civilian and military applications. Anyone needing portable power.
Technical Readiness Level (TRL) (1-10) / 4 / Available for License (Yes/No) / Yes / Express Licensing (Yes/No) / Yes
Prototype Available (Yes/No) / No
Background / Developmental Testing
In the late 1900s, China Lake was evaluating ionic liquids and polymers. By 2005 the lab was one of the leading laboratories working on polymer supercapacitor devices. Many cycles were performed using an environmental chamber to simulate high and low temperatures.$680K invested in development to date.
Other Related Patents:
  • Bis(thienyl)isopyrazoles and process for preparing and method: U.S. 9051401
  • China Lake often partners with Professor John R. Reynolds (formerly of UF Gainesville, and now at Georgia Tech.)

Key Search Terms (alphabetical order)
Supercapacitor, battery, ionic liquid, electroactive polymers
SUPPLEMENTAL PUBLICATION INFORMATION
Items Downloadable / Description
Quick Facts / All pertinent patent/invention data in one quick downloadable form
Articles / Publications / Technical Paper: Poly(3,4-Alkylenedioxythiophene) (PXDOT) Based Supercapacitors Using Ionic Liquids As Supporting Electrolytes.
POINTS OF CONTACT
Patent Contact Name / Marti Elder / Phone / 406-586-7621 / Email /

Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. PR# 17-0286