History

The Power Sources Technology Group has been responsible for thermal batteries, ambient-temperature lithium batteries, and other primary/reserve technologies in weapons systems for nearly 50 years. Our battery designs have been used in all nuclear weapon systems since the mid-1950s. During the last 20 years, we have also conducted major research and development programs with industry on advanced rechargeable batteries for commercial applications. In the last several years, we have developed designs and materials for high-energy-density, double-layer electrochemical capacitors.

Sandia National Laboratories became involved with electrochemical power sources in the early 1950s during the development of nickel/cadmium batteries used in early nuclear weapons. This was followed with the development of zinc/silver oxide batteries. The thermally activated battery was introduced in 1955 to solve the wet-stand time limitation of the aqueous systems. Subsequently, we have used thermal battery technology as the main power source for nuclear weapon systems.

Safety and environmental concerns are primary considerations in all of our research and development projects. Having adopted these priorities, we implement them in program planning; battery handling, storage, and operation; and the disposal of residue and spent batteries. Reliability is also an important aspect of our battery design and development activities. This priority stems from the stringent reliability requirements associated with nuclear weapon systems. While the emphasis on safety and reliability is directly reflected in the primary and reserve battery technologies used in weapon applications, it also carries over into the rechargeable technologies being developed for commercial energy storage uses.

Lithium based chemistry is the most common electrochemical technology used at Sandia. We designed and developed thermal batteries using the calcium/calcium chromate electrochemical couple until 1980 when it was replaced with lithium-silicon/iron disulfide. Sandia started developing and evaluating ambient-temperature lithium systems in 1972 for various applications. We are currently focused on lithium/sulfur dioxide, lithium/manganese dioxide and lithium/thionyl chloride cell designs and batteries. The packaging of cells in battery packs with appropriate solutions to the safety issues are important aspects of all our lithium battery development programs.

After the energy crisis in the mid 1970's, Sandia was designated as a multiprogram laboratory and our efforts greatly expanded. The DOE requested Sandia's assistance in developing and evaluating batteries for energy storage in solar applications. In 1981, the DOE chartered the Power Sources Technology Group as a lead center for the exploratory development and testing of secondary (rechargeable) battery systems. Targeted applications were solar, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage. Representative technologies include sodium/sulfur, zinc/bromine, advanced lead-acid and rechargeable lithium-ion and lithium/polymer chemistries.

Battery development and engineering activities are augmented by materials research, the investigation of new electrochemical couples, and extensive testing and evaluation. The synergism between these R&D activities and our design/applications responsibility has developed a comprehensive set of skills, enabling our personnel to efficiently respond to the needs of both our internal and external customers.