Patent — available for licensing
Electrolyte for Aluminum-Air Batteries
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Aviation electrification requires energy storage that is both lightweight and exceptionally powerful, especially for emergency and backup applications where mission success is dependent on sustained reliability. Conventional batteries struggle to provide the combination of high energy density and intrinsic safety needed for aircraft electrification. NASA’s Subsonic Single Aft Engine (SUSAN) Electrofan program needed an energy-dense solution to these problems. To address this challenge, innovators at NASA’s Glenn Research Center have developed an advanced polymer and polymer-hybrid electrolyte specifically engineered for use in metal-air batteries, with a focus on aluminum-air systems. By embedding a high-conductivity alkaline electrolyte within a solid polymer matrix, this technology overcomes longstanding barriers such as aluminum corrosion, electrolyte leakage, and premature energy loss. This innovation paves the way for compact, high-capacity primary power sources that can support critical aerospace missions and other applications where weight, reliability, and energy security are paramount.