Development of high power lithium thionyl chloride batteries

The authors present some data from an extensive effort to develop very high rate, high power output lithium thionyl chloride batteries. After establishing all parameters for the electrolyte and the cathode and after verifying the design, large battery modules were built and successfully discharged. The concept of a liquid flowing electrolyte reserve type battery proved to be very effective. By using a suitable design it was possible to discharge batteries with around 13 kW power output safely. A current of up to 200 mA/cm² was achieved, without using catalysts