A Feasibility Study of Commercial Laminated Lithium-Ion Polymer Cells for Space Applications

Abstract

Lithium-ion polymer cells are expected to provide power storage in microsatellites due to their high energy density, high voltage, and high flexibility in configuration. Our previous work demonstrated the excellent life performance of polymer electrolyte ͑PE͒-type lithium-ion polymer cells in a vacuum. In this work, we determine whether this type of cell cycles normally in a space environment. We conducted endurance testing for ␥-ray radiation and vibration of the PE cells, simulating a microsatellite launch. The ␥-ray radiation testing revealed that these cells have excellent resistance to ␥-ray exposure in simulated low-Earth-orbit ͑LEO͒ and geostationary-Earth-orbit ͑GEO͒ environments. Vibration testing in an ultrahigh vacuum ͑10 −6 Pa͒ demonstrated that the cells could endure a microsatellite launch when fastened only with aluminum tape. During this testing, we did not detect any gas components associated with cell solvents. The promising results led us to conclude that PE cells can store power well for an LEO or GEO microsatellite.Rapid progress in commercial and consumer microelectronics has catalyzed the use of microsatellites for both civil and military missions. 1-3 The limited payload mass, volume, and power of a microsatellite necessitate small, lightweight, and inexpensive onboard components. This is particularly true for the rechargeable battery system, which is generally one of the most massive onboard components. 4,5 In 2000, we began a feasibility study of commercial laminated lithium-ion polymer cells for space applications at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ͑JAXA, formerly the National Space Development Agency of Japan͒. 6 Our goal was to determine whether these cells can be used to store power for a microsatellite. This current paper provides a review of the latest results of endurance testing in a space environment.Laminated lithium-ion cells may be generally classified as liquidtype lithium-ion cells or lithium-ion polymer cells, depending on the electrolyte state. A lithium-ion polymer cell contains polymer support material that forms gel electrolytes by incorporating organic solvents. This advanced lithium-based battery chemistry is of interest for the following reasons: ͑i͒ high cell voltage of 3.6 V, compared with 1.3 V for conventional alkaline chemistries; ͑ii͒ high specific energy and energy density; ͑iii͒ high flexibility in configuration; ͑iv͒ improved coulombic and energy efficiencies comparable to those of conventional systems, along with low self-discharge rates; and ͑v͒ a wide range of operating temperatures centered on the ambient temperature. Consequently, the battery can achieve a desired system voltage with fewer cells and, hence, reduced system complexity and lower manufacturing, assembly, and launch costs. In addition, the above advantages allow for design approaches for power storage systems of satellites that differ from established space-engineering techniques. For example, aluminum tape may be used as a simple means to affix the cells. This renders battery stacki...

Satellite multi-functional power structure: Feasibility and mass savings

“…Commercial PLI cells have excellent electrical performance and have been space-qualified for the vibration, vacuum, radiation, and thermal environments [2]. The robustness of this cell configuration, along with its prismatic shape, makes packaging for a battery of such cells much simpler than for the cells currently used in satellites.…”

“…The robustness of this cell configuration, along with its prismatic shape, makes packaging for a battery of such cells much simpler than for the cells currently used in satellites. Small PLI cells could be secured within a microsatellite simply by affixing them to available surfaces using aluminium tape or another adhesive, as suggested in reference [2]. This eliminates the separate battery enclosure, though it relies on there being adequate spare volume and areas to affix the cells within the spacecraft.…”

Dual‐Graphite Batteries with Flame‐Retardant Electrolyte Solutions

“…To make full use of this kind of electrolyte solution in DGBs, the incompatibility problem of TMP‐based solutions with graphite negative electrode should be taken into account since the unfavorable co‐intercalation of Li + with TMP generally results in the exfoliation of graphite negative electrode . There have been various efforts paid to protect the TMP‐solvated Li + direct intercalation into graphite layers, such as coating the graphite with amorphous carbon, tailoring SEI‐film formation on the graphite negative electrode by additives, and introducing Ca 2+ substitute for Li + to be solvated with TMP . Anyhow, employing TMP‐based electrolyte solutions in the batteries with graphite negative electrodes is not an easy task.…”

Strategies for Thermal Control of a Multifunctional Power Structure Solar Array

“…In pursuit of this, Roberts has addressed the issues of manufacture (Roberts and Aglietti 2007), launch vibration (Roberts and Aglietti 2006), and the effect the batteries have on the structural performance of the panel (Foster et al 2008). Wang et al (2006) have shown that PLI cells can survive the radiation and vacuum encountered in space. Choquette and Lessard-Deziel (2002) have assessed the lithium polymer batteries for the effects of proton and electron radiation and concluded that over the course of a 5-year mission, the batteries would suffer no significant loss of performance.…”