Development of a bipolar lithium/cobalt disulfide battery for pulse power

The Li-alloy/CoS₂ cell technology was scaled up to 20 cm² and optimized for pulse power. Performance was evaluated for 100 msec linear ramped current and four second constant current pulses. This high temperature system displayed rapid electrode kinetics and a highly conductive electrolyte, and the separator composition was optimized to allow for very low final currents and extended battery life. The low and reproducible final current is an important parameter for successful cell balancing in bipolar arrangements. The results of investigations with both single cells and multicell stacks are presented. Multi-cell bipolar batteries were assembled with very good electrical performance and extended lives. Specific power of 300 kW/kg (100 msec pulses) and specific energy of 400 kJ/kg (four second pulses) were routinely obtained during discharge to a non-inductive dynamic pulse load