K2 Energy Solutions, Inc., (K2) has been awarded a US Navy Phase I SBIR for the development of a Lithium Iron Phosphate prismatic cell capable of supporting a number of anticipated Navy high power applications. The new cell will incorporate K2’s advanced LFP electrode designs, resulting in a light weight, high capacity battery capable of operating in challenging thermal environments while maintaining the intrinsic safety of K2’s LFP technology.
The Navy contract will allow K2 Energy to adapt and optimize its Lithium-Ion battery technology for use in large, versatile prismatic cells that will feature the high power and high capacity of K2’s next generation systems. These cells are intended for the Navy’s use in a variety of shipboard applications. Large prismatic cells are increasingly being used in commercial and industrial applications because of their thin profile, reduced weight and efficient use of space compared to traditional cylindrical cells. However, the large prismatic cell designs commonly used commercially are incapable of producing the high power levels required by many anticipated Navy shipboard applications without severely compromising the cells’ service life or operational safety. K2 manufactures high power cylindrical cells that are currently used in the Navy’s electromagnetic railgun program, as well as many other applications. The goal of K2’s Navy SBIR contract is to adapt K2’s high power cell technology to a prismatic design better suited to the construction of large batteries. This research and development program will minimize temperature surges during heavy use and maximize battery life without compromising safety.
“K2 is currently providing batteries for a number of military applications, including the Navy electromagnetic railgun program and the Marines GREENS system,” said Dr. Jim Hodge, K2’s Chief Technical Officer. “Our work on this Navy SBIR project will help to ensure that we can continue to supply cutting edge energy storage systems for the increasingly demanding military applications of the future.”
The SBIR program was established under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-219) with the purpose of strengthening the role of innovative small business concerns in Federally-funded research and development projects.
