The Department of Defense, specifically the Army, is seeking innovative battery technologies through its Battery Focused Open Topic under the SBIR program. This opportunity allows for both Phase I submissions, with funding up to $250,000 for a 6-month performance period, and Direct to Phase II submissions, with funding up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month performance period, aimed at enhancing energy storage solutions that can support military applications and improve supply chain resilience. The initiative emphasizes the development of advanced battery technologies, including those with high energy density, improved thermal stability, and enhanced safety standards, which are critical for various applications in military and commercial sectors. Interested parties must submit their proposals by October 15, 2024, and can find more information and submission guidelines at the provided source link.

## Description

This open topic accepts both Phase I and Direct to Phase II submissions. Phase I proposals are accepted for a cost up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance and Direct to Phase II proposals are accepted for a cost up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month period of performance.Phase I submissions:<ul><li>&emsp;Battery technologies defined as energy storage utilizing Faradaic charge transfer. </li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies that can shore up the national supply chain through the strategic use of critical minerals and cell manufacturing.</li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies with advanced anode technologies, especially high gravimetric energy density chemistries. </li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies utilizing future electrolytes, such as solid-state, polymer, or ionic liquids. </li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies with high pulse power capabilities or high-power capabilities in general.</li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies with increased temperature range capabilities that can function in extreme conditions. Objective: -60&deg;C to 70&deg;C; Threshold: -40&deg;C to 70&deg;C. </li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies with improved thermal stability, energy storage, and charging capabilities.</li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies that prioritize minimizing size, weight, and charging times.</li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies with advanced safety that can pass stringent Army, Navy, and/or Air transport standards.</li><li>&emsp;Description of existing cell and/or material production capability</li><li>&emsp;Provides the following target metrics: Indication if stack pressure will be needed, Wh/L, Wh/kg, Ah, operational temperature range, storage temperature range, maximum current, operating voltage range, nominal voltage, pulse discharge capability, cycle life to 80% capacity, and calendar life (both self-discharge and recoverable capacity).</li></ul>Direct to Phase II submissions:Includes all Phase 1 attributes plus:<ul><li>&emsp;Proven pilot data on pouch or cylindrical cells &gt;1 Ah.</li><li>&emsp;Battery able to maintain over 80% of capacity after a minimum of 200 cycles. </li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies with advanced safety that can pass stringent Army standards. Preference for quantitative safety testing at cell level, not component level, and consideration of toxic gas evolution and particulates. </li><li>&emsp;Battery technologies that increase scalability across platforms through the use of commercial and military standard form factors that can fit across a range of typical tactical use cases.</li><li>&emsp;Preference to pouch cells without applied pressure. If pouch cells require applied pressure, a module or pack level pressure solution must also be presented. </li><li>&emsp;Path to manufacturing of materials for pilot cell production levels.</li><li>&emsp;List of critical upstream and downstream partnerships </li><li>&emsp;Provides the following metrics for an exemplary cell: Data-supported Wh/L, Wh/kg, Ah, operational temperature range, storage temperature range, maximum current, operating voltage range, nominal voltage, pulse discharge capability, cycle life to 80% capacity, and calendar life (both self-discharge and recoverable capacity).</li><li>&emsp;Includes balance-of-plant in all metrics (ex. If cooling, heating, pressure, etc. is required, must be included in volume and mass) </li></ul>

## Objective

The purpose of the Batteries Focused Open Topic is to bring potentially valuable small business innovations to the Army and create an opportunity to expand the relevance of the Army SBIR program to firms who do not normally compete for SBIR awards.

## Phase I

Phase I Submission Materials <ul><li>&emsp;5-page technical volume for down-select.</li><li>&emsp;8-slide commercialization plan; template provided in announcement.</li><li>&emsp;&ldquo;Statement of Work&rdquo; outlining intermediate and final anticipated deliverables during the Phase I award period.</li></ul>Post-Phase I Deliverables:<ul><li>&emsp;Small Business: A feasibility study to demonstrate the technical and commercial practicality of the concept to include an assessment of its technical readiness and potential applicability to military and commercial markets.</li></ul>

## Phase II

<ul><li>&emsp;Produce prototype solutions that will be practical and feasible to operate in edge and austere environments. Companies will provide a technology transition and commercialization plan for DOD and commercial markets.</li><li>&emsp; The Army will evaluate each product in a realistic field environment and provide solutions to stakeholders for further evaluation. Based on Soldier field evaluations, companies will be requested to update the previously delivered prototypes to meet final design configuration.</li></ul>DP2 Submission Materials <ul><li>&emsp;10-page technical volume for down-select </li><li>&emsp;5-page feasibility documentation, showing how technical feasibility has already been achieved.</li><li>&emsp;8-slide commercialization plan; template provided in announcement.</li><li>&emsp;&ldquo;Statement of Work&rdquo; outlining intermediate and final anticipated deliverables during the Phase II award period.</li></ul>

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

<ul><li>&emsp;The renewable energy sector can use energy storage technologies to store excess energy that is generated during periods of low demand or high production.</li><li>&emsp;The transportation industry can utilize energy storage technologies in electric vehicles. Batteries with new storage capabilities can enable longer driving ranges and shorter charging times for the vehicles.</li><li>&emsp;Highly weight, safety, and reliability sensitive Space applications. </li><li>&emsp;Other commercial applications include medical devices, first responder equipment, power tools, lawncare and outdoor equipment, consumer electronics, and other equipment.</li></ul>

Battery Focused Open Topic

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

SBIR Documents

Related SBIR/STTR Opportunities

Opportunity Snapshot

Key Dates