Search

Aluminum-air batteries produce electricity from the reaction of atmospheric oxygen with aluminum. They have extremely high energy densities, but significant problems remain with byproduct removal due to use of traditional electrolytes. The electrolyte used is an aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, incorporated into a polymer-based electrolyte matrix. Traditional alkaline electrolytes enable high ionic conductivity but corrode aluminum, wasting active material and releasing hydrogen gas. Unlike free liquid electrolytes, this hybrid design holds the conductive solution in place, providing the same high ionic conductivity while dramatically reducing the uncontrolled corrosion and gas evolution that typically deplete aluminum electrodes. The polymer host also prevents leakage and drying, improving reliability under demanding conditions such as high altitude and variable temperature environments. The aluminum-air battery electrolyte is a lightweight, high-capacity, and inherently safer primary power source that can meet stringent aerospace requirements for emergency and backup energy. Beyond aircraft, the technology’s combination of high energy density, safety, and sustainable byproducts makes it attractive for electric aircraft, defense systems, and other mission-critical applications. The electrolyte for aluminum-air batteries is available for patent licensing.

The SABERS innovators developed novel lithium-sulfur designs, including sulfur-selenium on graphene cathodes, and lightweight bipolar plate stacking and packaging designs. SABERS is unique in several aspects, in particular, it deploys graphene-based manufacturing processes for the cathode and bipolar plates, and it uses a solid-state electrolyte in place of the liquid electrolyte found in other lithium-sulfur battery designs. The team has achieved energy densities over 500 W-hr/kg, with ongoing development targeting further improvements. Coin cell and pouch prototype demonstrations have been successful and are ongoing. Major component technologies in SABERS include the following: • S/Se Cathode – Sulfur/Selenium on graphene scaffold (LEW-20228-1) • Solid Electrolyte – Solid-state electrolyte composites (LEW-20445-1) • Bipolar Stack – Graphene plates (LAR-20257-1) Robust computational models have been developed to support the battery materials design and are available to licensees to evaluate and optimize different materials combinations and performance targets. Further developments in catholyte formulations, anode interlayering, and packaging optimization are presented in SABERS 2.0 (LEW-TOPS-188). Individual technologies can be licensed from either suite, or entire portfolios can be licensed to support solid-state battery development programs.