Thermal batteries: A technology review and future directions
Abstract
Thermally activated (``thermal``) batteries have been used for ordnance applications (e.g., proximity fuzes) since World War II and, subsequent to that, in nuclear weapons. This technology was developed by the Germans as a power source for their V2 rockets. It was obtained by the Allies by interrogation of captured German scientists after the war. The technology developed rapidly from the initial primitive systems used by the Germans to one based on Ca/CaCrO{sub 4}. This system was used very successfully into the late 1970s, when it was replaced by the Li-alloy/FeS{sub 2} electrochemical system. This paper describes the predominant electrochemical couples that have been used in thermal batteries over the years. Major emphasis is placed on the chemistry and electrochemistry of the Ca/CaCrO{sub 4} and Li-alloy/FeS{sub 2} systems. The reason for this is to give the reader a better appreciation for the advances in thermal-battery technology for which these two systems are directly responsible. Improvements to date in the current Li-alloy/FeS{sub 2} and related systems are discussed and areas for possible future research and development involving anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, and insulations are outlined. New areas where thermal-battery technology has potential applications are also examined.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 90081
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-95-1313C; CONF-951033-3
ON: DE95014859
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Conference
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 27. international technical conference of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE): diversity into the next century, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 9-12 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 25 ENERGY STORAGE; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; THERMAL BATTERIES; MATERIALS; CALCIUM; CALCIUM OXIDES; CHROMIUM OXIDES; NUCLEAR WEAPONS; LITHIUM; LITHIUM ALLOYS; IRON SULFIDES; ELECTROLYTES; ANODES; CATHODES; ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE
Citation Formats
Guidotti, R A. Thermal batteries: A technology review and future directions. United States: N. p., 1995.
Web.
Guidotti, R A. Thermal batteries: A technology review and future directions. United States.
Guidotti, R A. 1995.
"Thermal batteries: A technology review and future directions". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/90081.
@article{osti_90081,
title = {Thermal batteries: A technology review and future directions},
author = {Guidotti, R A},
abstractNote = {Thermally activated (``thermal``) batteries have been used for ordnance applications (e.g., proximity fuzes) since World War II and, subsequent to that, in nuclear weapons. This technology was developed by the Germans as a power source for their V2 rockets. It was obtained by the Allies by interrogation of captured German scientists after the war. The technology developed rapidly from the initial primitive systems used by the Germans to one based on Ca/CaCrO{sub 4}. This system was used very successfully into the late 1970s, when it was replaced by the Li-alloy/FeS{sub 2} electrochemical system. This paper describes the predominant electrochemical couples that have been used in thermal batteries over the years. Major emphasis is placed on the chemistry and electrochemistry of the Ca/CaCrO{sub 4} and Li-alloy/FeS{sub 2} systems. The reason for this is to give the reader a better appreciation for the advances in thermal-battery technology for which these two systems are directly responsible. Improvements to date in the current Li-alloy/FeS{sub 2} and related systems are discussed and areas for possible future research and development involving anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, and insulations are outlined. New areas where thermal-battery technology has potential applications are also examined.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/90081},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995},
month = {Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995}
}