Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) research is part of NASA effort to improve aircraft fuel efficiency, emissions, and noise levels. New secondary battery chemistries are required to meet the 500 – 700 Wh/kg cell level specific energy needs of UAM, all-electric helicopters and regional passenger aircraft. The cycle life, currently at ≈ 1500 – 3000 cycles, also needs substantial improvement. Safety is another important consideration: battery fires, not uncommon in electric cars, are unacceptable in aircraft.
Cornerstone Research Group proposes to develop battery cells based on new anode and electrolyte chemistry to meet the NASA’s operational needs for high specific energy, long-lasting and safe EAP energy storage.