Engineering topics

Attia, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Attia, A..

8 records

NASA NTRS1993

Evaluation of Carbon Anodes for Rechargeable Lithium Cells

Both liquid phase intercalation technique and electrochemical intercalation technique were examined for the Li-carbon material preparation. The electrochemical techniques include a intermittent discharge method and a two step method. These two electrochemical techniques can ensure to achieve the maximum reversible Li capacity for common commercially available carbon materials. The carbon materials evaluated by the intercalacation method includes: pitch coke, petroleum cole, PAN fiber and graphite materials. Their reversible Li capacity were determined and compared. In this paper, we also demonstrate the importance of EPDM binder composition in the carbon electrode. Our results indicated that it can impact the Li intercalation and de-intercalation capacity in carbon materials. Finally, two possibilities that may help explain the capacity degradation during practical cell cycling were proposed.

carbon anodes rechargeable lithium cells material ↗

NASA NTRS1993

Effect of cycling on the lithium/electrolyte interface in organic electrolytes

Nondestructive methods such as ac impedance spectroscopy and microcalorimetry are used to study the effect of cell cycling on the lithium/electrolyte interface. The reactivity of both uncycled and cycled lithium towards various electrolytes is examined by measuring the heat evolved from the cells under open-circuit conditions at 25 C by microcalorimetry. Cycled cells at the end of charge/discharge exhibited considerably higher heat output compared with the uncycled cells. After 30 d of storage, the heat output of the cycled cells is similar to that of the uncycled cells. The cell internal resistance increases with cycling, and this is attributed to the degradation of the electrolyte with cycling.

Surampudi, S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Secondary lithium cells for space applications

It is concluded that secondary lithium batteries are suitable for planetary missions requiring high specific energy, long active shelf life, and limited cycle life. Titanium disulfide cathode material meet all the requirements for rechargeable lithium cell, including high intrinsic reversibility and realizable specific energy. Secondary lithium technology is still evolving, although low capacity cells have been demonstrated and greater than 700 cycle life was achieved. Work is in progress to improve the cycle life and safety of the electrolytes, alternate lithium anode, and the separators.

Surampudi, S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Design analysis of bipolar Li-TiS2 batteries

The present study uses an empirical model to assess the feasibility of using the Li-TiS2 bipolar battery for high power applications. Predicted performance outputs at a variety of conditions were calculated. The effects of the design parameters on the performance of bipolar Li-TiS2 batteries are presented. Specific energies greater than 150 Wh/kg can be achieved at low rates. Specific power levels in excess of 100 W/kg can be reached at high rates but with a reduction of the specific energy to less than 70 Wh/kg.

Shen, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The status of rechargeable Li-TiS2 cell technology

Ambient temperature rechargeable lithium-titanium disulfide (Li-TiS2) cells are under development at JPL for future NASA missions. The development of this technology has involved assessment and selection of electrolytes, optimization of cell design, fabrication of cells, preparation of TiS2 cathodes, and evaluation of lithium alloys. This effort has resulted in achieving a major milestone, completing 700 cycles at 50 percent depth of discharge in 1-Ah cells fabricated in house.

Halpert, G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Evaluation of lithium alloy anode materials for Li-TiS2 cells

A study was performed to select candidate lithium alloy anode materials and establish selection criteria. Some of the selected alloy materials were evaluated for their electrochemical properties and performance. This paper describes the criteria for the selection of alloys and the findings of the studies. Li-Si and Li-Cd alloys have been found to be unstable in the EC+2-MeTHF-based electrolyte. The Li-Al alloy system was found to be promising among the alloy systems studied in view of its stability and reversibility. Unfortunately, the large volume changes of LiAl alloys during charge/discharge cycling cause considerable 'exfoliation' of its active mass. This paper also describes ways how to address this problem. The rate of disintegration of this anode would probably be surpressed by the presence of an inert solid solution or a uniform distribution of precipitates within the grains of the active mass. It was discovered that the addition of a small quantity of Mn may improve the mechanical properties of LiAl. In an attempt to reduce the Li-Al alloy vs. Li voltage, it was observed that LiAlPb(0.1)Cd(0.3) material can be cycled at 1.5 mA/sq cm without exfoliation of the active mass.

Huang, C.-K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Factors affecting pressure in Li-SOCl2 cells

A model was developed to describe internal pressure in a Li-SOCl2 cell as a function of state of charge and temperature. The model was used to generate sets of predicted pressure variations in a hypothetical 250-Ah cell with assumed ranges of cell design variables including initial void volume and inert gas pressure. Results were assessed to establish values of the cell design parameters that would yield a vent pressure within a temperature range that was deemed safe and also adequate for cell performance. Results indicate that a suitable design for this cell would require an initial void volume near 112 cu cm and inert gas pressure near 40 psi.

Frank, H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Fundamental studies on the metal chloride cathodes in sodium batteries

The authors report studies of the passivation of the NiCl2 electrode during reduction, its effect on the electrochemical rate kinetics for the reduction, and its dependence on the state of charge of the electrode. NiCl2 exhibits passive behavior more readily at lower states of charge due to a decrease in the electrochemical area, resulting from NaCl deposited during reduction. The passive behavior is evident from the DC polarization curves as well as AC impedance plots at the same potentials, implying a correlation between them. The results of the studies are presented in detail.

Ratnakumar, B. V.↗