NASA’s future missions demand advanced batteries with higher energy density, smaller volume, lighter weight and safer operation. Current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) reach the specific energy capacity limits (<250 Wh/kg), which is unable to meet the NASA’s future energy goals (>400 Wh/kg), and also pose safety issues due to using the liquid flammable electrolyte. There are intense on-going developmental activities to increase energy density. Lithium (Li)-metal based battery chemistry has the potential to achieve high-energy goals (>400 Wk/kg) to meet NASA’s future mission’s energy requirements. However, the cycle ability and safety of Li metal as anode are challenging because of morphology change and/or Li dendrite growth.

Solid polymer electrolyte enhances lithium metal-based battery technology by replacing the liquid electrolyte for safety and flexible of design. However, solid polymer electrolyte has problems of low ionic conductivity (<10^-3 S/cm) at ambient temperature, and compatibility issues with lithium metal anode, which act as a barrier for the practical application. Solid polymer nanocomposite electrolyte has been developed to help improve ionic conductivity, provide good compatibility with the Li electrode and mitigate the electrolyte/Li metal interfacial issue. It is a promising approach to enhance Li metal-based battery technology. In this presentation, we will present the result of solid polymer nanocomposite electrolyte to enable Li metal anode safe cycling and for high-energy battery application.