Fast Charge Silicon Anode Lithium-Ion Cells for Small UAS Systems
ID: A24B-T006Type: Phase I
Overview

Topic

Fast Charge Silicon Anode Lithium-Ion Cells for Small UAS Systems

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: STTRPhase: Phase IYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2605943

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Apr 17, 2024 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open May 15, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Fast Charge Silicon Anode Lithium-Ion Cells for Small UAS Systems" as part of their Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I program. The objective of this topic is to develop fast charge silicon anode lithium-ion cells for small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The current challenge is the inability to fast charge commercial graphite anode Li-ion cells to specific energies greater than 110 Wh/kg. The proposed technology based on silicon (Si) anodes has demonstrated fast charge capability in prototype cells, but faces challenges with cycle life, calendar life, and safety. The goal is to develop Si based fast charge cells with a specific energy greater than 200 Wh/kg in 6 minutes of charge.

In Phase I, the focus is on demonstrating single/few layer Si anode full cells that can be fast charged at 10C (6 minute) rates and cycle for over 1000 continuous cycles at 3C discharge to over 80% capacity. Phase II involves producing and characterizing cells in sufficient quantities to fully characterize them for rate, temperature performance, and continuous cycling stability. The deliverables for Phase II include 20 full cells with a rated capacity of over 2Ah capable of 10C/3C charge-discharge cycling at an energy density of over 200 Wh/kg at the 10C charge rate.

The potential applications of this technology include energy sharing, increased pace of operations, and compact energy sources for high power devices. It can be used in storage for high energy storage modules, jammer applications, 6T battery applications, and fast charge batteries in UAS systems. Commercial applications include batteries for hybrid electric vehicles and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. If the Phase III program is successful, likely sources of funding include PEO Soldier, PM UAS, and C5ISR.

The deadline for proposal submission is June 12, 2024. More information can be found on the grants.gov website or the DOD SBIR/STTR Opportunities page.

Files
No associated files provided.
Similar Opportunities
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Tactical Micro-grid Standard Add-on for Power Sources
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic "Tactical Micro-grid Standard Add-on for Power Sources" as part of their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The goal of this research is to address the need for reliable and flexible power solutions in dynamic and unpredictable environments, including directed energy. The objective is to enable the seamless integration of diverse power sources, such as renewable energy, generators, and storage systems, into a cohesive network. This would create resilient, self-sustaining power infrastructure capable of providing uninterrupted energy supply, enhancing operational efficiency, and reducing reliance on vulnerable external grids. The solicitation is open for Phase I proposals with a budget of up to $250,000 for a 6-month period of performance. Phase I involves analyzing the current state of power infrastructure, conceptualizing the design, and developing a feasibility study. Phase II will focus on building a fully functional prototype. The potential applications of this technology include urban and critical infrastructure, remote/rural communities, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and data centers. The implementation of the Tactical Micro-grid Standard has the potential to establish a modular, efficient, and more effective smart power microgrid.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Hybrid Electric Powertrain, Power, and Propulsion Systems (HEPPS) Open Topic
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the Hybrid Electric Powertrain, Power, and Propulsion Systems (HEPPS) Open Topic. This solicitation aims to bring valuable small business innovations to the Army and expand the relevance of the Army SBIR program to firms that don't typically compete for SBIR awards. The HEPPS Open Topic accepts both Phase I and Direct to Phase II submissions. Phase I proposals can receive up to $250,000 for a 6-month performance period, while Direct to Phase II proposals can receive up to $2,000,000 for a 24-month performance period. The research should focus on HEPPS technologies compatible with various vehicle systems, optimizing fuel economy and performance, facilitating new use cases and tactics, providing an optimized balance for efficient aircraft operation, delivering increased onboard electrical power, and meeting military operational requirements. Phase I submissions require a 5-page technical volume, an 8-slide commercialization plan, and a "Statement of Work" outlining deliverables. Phase II submissions require a 10-page technical volume, a 5-page feasibility documentation, an 8-slide commercialization plan, and a "Statement of Work." Phase II involves producing prototype solutions for edge and austere environments, developing a technology transition and commercialization plan, and evaluating products in a realistic field environment. Phase III focuses on dual-use applications such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing fuel economy and performance, improving energy management strategies, and achieving lower weight and longer operating duration. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation agency website](https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Handheld Kinetic Defeat of UAS
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of a handheld defeat capability to counter Unmanned/Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) in their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The objective is to develop low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) solutions that can kinetically defeat Group 1-3 UAS with a high probability of kill (Pk). The solicitation prioritizes characteristics such as Pk, SWaP-C, reliability, ease of use, versatility, and defeat range. The Phase I of the project involves conducting a feasibility study to assess the possibilities that satisfy the specified requirements. The Phase II focuses on developing, installing, and demonstrating a prototype system for a handheld UAS defeat solution. The technology developed through this program could have broad applications in various military scenarios where defense against UAS is required. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025, and more details can be found on the DOD SBIR website.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Advanced Enabling High-Speed Technologies
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Advanced Enabling High-Speed Technologies" in their SBIR 24.4 Annual solicitation. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is specifically interested in technologies related to additive manufacturing techniques, materials, propulsion combined cycles, and hot structures. They are also looking for advancements in the understanding and characterization of novel fluid dynamics that enhance propulsion performance. The objective is to achieve coherence between a cooperating set of commodity devices, resulting in increased thrust to weight, fuel efficiencies, and propellant mass fractions. This solicitation is open for Phase II proposals only, and Phase I proposals will not be accepted or reviewed. Phase II will involve designing and evaluating enabling technologies at the system and subsystem level, as well as advancing modeling and simulation tools. Physical hardware proposals should include development, installation, integration, demonstration, and/or test and evaluation of the proposed prototype system. Software or advanced tool development proposals should have a development approach anchored in the physics of the problem and ways to validate the software against existing test data. The Phase II effort consists of a base period of 12 months and an option period of 12 months. Phase III of this project will focus on transition and commercialization of the developed technologies. The proposer is required to obtain funding from private sector or non-SBIR Government sources to develop the prototype software into a viable product or non-R&D service for sale in military or private sector markets. The technologies developed under this topic will have applications in both commercial and military sectors, including commercial transportation, high-speed delivery, and responsiveness to fluidic environments. For more information and to submit proposals, interested parties can visit the DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual topic page on the SBIR website (https://www.sbir.gov/node/2492697). The solicitation is currently open, and the application due date is March 31, 2025.
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Development of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Passive Detection, Tracking, and Identification System for Ground Vehicles.
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Passive Detection, Tracking, and Identification System for Ground Vehicles. The goal of this Army Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) topic is to develop a passive sensor system capable of detecting, tracking, and identifying single and multiple drones threatening ground vehicles. The system should have a range of up to 2km and provide full hemispherical coverage. It should also include a soldier user interface control panel and the ability to alert at least one operator. The system should be able to operate in wooded/dense environments or large metropolitan areas and be installable on tactical and combat ground vehicles, including Army watercraft. In Phase I, the technical feasibility of passive sensors for drone detection will be determined through computer simulations. The possibility of using passive electromagnetic acoustic, optical, and other innovative sensing for processing multiple drone signatures will be demonstrated. The classification of drone signatures using these passive sensor systems will also be explored. In Phase II, the solution to achieve the capabilities outlined in Phase I will be developed. Optimum materials for the development of passive low-power consumption sensors for UAS detection, tracking, and identification will be identified. Principles of building networks of passive sensors that utilize fast processing capabilities will be developed, along with learning algorithms for drone identification. The system will be evaluated for compliance with the GVSC owned vehicle base kit in the GVSC Vehicle Protection Integration Lab (VPIL). A prototype system will be delivered to GVSC for evaluation and demonstration. Phase III will focus on expanding the capabilities of the solution to simulate different environments and conditions, demonstrating its applicability for municipal security, law enforcement, and commercial vehicles. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit the DOD SBIR website at [solicitation_agency_url].