Description: The low temperature environment of the lunar surface and the long duration of the lunar nights (~14 days) require batteries to integrate ancillary thermal management systems to maintain an optimum operational temperature range. Current battery heating methods are heavy, bulky, and thermally inefficient. Here we present an innovative technology that uses high-frequency AC current to heat-up the battery's liquid electrolyte directly and uniformly with the least amount of electrical energy, as compared to the currently available technologies (e.g. external convection heating, internal resistive elements, battery self-heating, etc). The implementation of the system does not require modification or replacement of any internal components of the existing batteries since the external high AC frequency circuitry can be integrated into the battery management system (BMS) electronics. Our technology has been experimentally demonstrated by enabling commercial off-the-shelf Li-ion batteries operate at their optimum operating range in extremely cold environments (< -60C), delivering 100% of their nominal storage capacity and cycling life expectancy. The objective of the proposed project is to develop a robust electrical energy storage technology that can be readily integrated into the battery systems powering NASA's space missions for operation in extreme cold environments. The main goal of the Phase I work is to further develop and experimentally validate Omnitek's proprietary high-frequency AC heating technology to enable the use of lithium-ion battery cells in ultra-low temperature environments. Omnitek's thermal management technology is applicable to any existing electrochemical energy storage device containing an electrolyte. These include primary or rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. This innovation can quickly and safely condition batteries to their optimum temperature operating range enabling top charge/discharge performance and long cycling life.

Benefits: The superior thermal efficiency of the proposed high-frequency AC heating technology can reduce the need for ancillary thermal management equipment to heat up and maintain the operating temperature of batteries within their optimum range. This translates in the reduction of the weight and volume of the battery systems, enabling longer mission durations. The use of the technology does not require the modification or replacement of any internal components of the existing batteries since it is implemented through the integration of the external high frequency AC circuitry into the battery management system. Therefore, it is universally applicable to any existing battery chemistries and formats. The potential applications of the technology for NASA are multiple and they include implementations for primary and rechargeable batteries used in: (1) Moon and Mars surface missions, (2) outer planetary/flyby missions, and (3) small body (asteroids, comets, etc.) missions. These missions all require batteries with low temperature operational capability <-80C, long cycle life, and extremely high power and energy densities. Omnitek's thermal management technology that uses high-frequency AC current to heat-up the battery's liquid electrolyte directly and uniformly with the least amount of electrical energy, as compared to the currently available technologies has numerous commercial applications. One industry that we have gained some traction with to use this technology is in the logistics & material handling industry. As an example, we have been working with the world's largest logistics & material handling solutions provider to address a specific segment of their market and that being, improving the operation of lift trucks that operate in freezer environments. By using our technology this manufacturer will be able to improve the operation of it's vehicles in this cold environment and still use its existing energy platform as well as implement new energy platforms that are currently not usable in this kind of environment. In addition to the very specific freezer environment application mentioned above we also see the beneficial use of this technology in other cold environment applications such as airport operations. Airports use numerous types of battery powered vehicles and encounter the same types of charging limitations during cold weather. The Power backup storage industry is another potential market. These devices typically charge batteries from renewable sources, and the batteries are then used to power household/business equipment and lighting. For safety reasons, the battery packs are generally located outdoors, possibly in cold environments. This technology can be used to periodically maintain the batteries at a proper charging temperature for optimal efficiency. Two other potential markets are Li-ion-based power tools, used and charged in outside cold environments and wireless communication devices, such as cell phones, laptops, cameras, headphones, are miniaturized electronics with no room left inside for any thermal management hardware.