Unmanned Systems Technology 004 | Delair-Tech DT18 | Autopilots | Rotron RT600 | Unmanned surface vehicles | AMRC | Motion control | Batteries

80 Insight | Batteries negatively charged carbon cathode. “People have tried different kinds of materials for the cathode,” says Prof Dai. “We accidentally discovered that a simple solution is to use graphite, which is basically carbon. In our study, we identified a few types of graphite material that give us very good performance, and show that you can drill through the aluminium battery pouch and it will continue working for a while longer without catching fire.” The Stanford team reported “unprecedented charging times” of down to one minute with the aluminium prototype, as well as a battery life of 7500 charging cycles without losing capacity. “This was the first time an ultra- fast aluminium-ion battery has been constructed with stability over thousands of cycles,” says Prof Dai. But the technology needs improving in various areas, not least the voltage output. “Our battery produces about half the voltage of a typical lithium battery,” Prof Dai says. “But improving the cathode material could eventually increase the voltage and energy density. Otherwise, our battery has everything else you’d want in a battery – inexpensive electrodes, good safety, high-speed charging, flexibility and long cycle life.” Research into new types of batteries is crucial for unmanned systems. From higher energy densities for longer missions to faster recharging, and even different ways of replacing the energy elements, there is intense focus on development of the technology. At the same time there is also a focus on enhancing the performance of existing technologies with the latest manufacturing processes. Autumn 2015 | Unmanned Systems Technology China Shenzhen Grepow Battery +86 755 88376378 www.grepow.com France Saft Batteries +33 1 4993 19 18 www.saftbatteries.com Israel Amicell +972 885 616 12 www.amicell.co.il Singapore Horizon Energy Systems +65 6250 3949 www.hes.sg The Netherlands Cleantron +31 71 887 60 76 www.cleantron.nl UK Cella Energy +44 (0) 1235 437740 www.cellaenergy.com Denchi Power +44 (0) 1847 808000 www.denchipower.com Faradion +44 (0)1993 871234 www.faradion.co.uk Goodwolfe Energy +44 (0) 1702 527883 www.goodwolfe.com Lincad +44 (0) 1252 894600 www.lincad.co.uk Missiles & Space Batteries (MSB) +44 (0) 1236 438448 www.asb-group.com Nexeon +44 (0)1235 436320 www.nexeon.co.uk Reap Systems +44 (0) 2380 638527 www.reapsystems.co.uk USA Advanced Energy +1 970 221 0108 www.advanced-energy.com Aerovironment +1 805 581 2187 www.avinc.com Alta Devices +1 408 988 8600 www.altadevices.com Amprius +1 800 425 8803 www.amprius.com Ascent Batteries +1 267 437 7981 www.ascentbatteries.com EaglePicher Technologies +1 417 623-8000 www.eaglepicher.com Electric Fuel Battery Company +1 843 552 8682 www.electric-fuel.com EnerSys +1 610 208 1991 www.enersys.com Excell Battery +1 604 575 5011 www.excellbattery.com House of Batteries +1 714 962 7600 www.houseofbatteries.com Infinity Fuel Cell & Hydrogen +1 860 688 6500 www.infinityfuel.com Max Amps +1 888 654 4450 www.maxamps.com Open Water Power +1 978 578 5864 www.openwaterpower.com Quallion +1 818 833 2000 www.quallion.com Sakti3 +1 734 827 2583 www.sakti3.com Sion Power +1 520 799 7629 www.sionpower.com Skysense +1 415 670 0647 www.skysense.de Some examples of battery manufacturers