The main target of the project is the development of safe batteries with high energy density, as well as the development of electronics associated with charging and energy management, for use in biomedical devices and unmanned aircraft, and specifically in pacemakers and in drones. These new all-solid-state batteries are based on a novel and disruptive concept by using thick porous ceramic electrodes, free of additives, manufactured using technologies that are simple and easily scalable at an industrial level, such as injection molding and powder extrusion.

These new solid-state batteries are safer (non-flammable) and can operate in a wider range of temperatures (20 to 140ºC) than conventional ones, since they do not use flammable liquid electrolytes. Likewise, new designs of batteries with electrodes of inter-digital and 3D architectures are proposed, seeking a high aspect ratio, which will allow obtaining high volumetric capacities, as well as per unit area. As electrolytes it is intended to initially use polymeric electrolytes and hybrid electrolytes (rigid and flexible).

In the case of polymers, they will be crosslinked in which the lithium salts are dissolved and the crosslinking occurs once they infiltrate the porous electrodes. In this way, a good electrode-electrolyte contact is ensured, avoiding diffusion problems on the dense thick electrode. In the case of hybrids, they will be joined by contact to the electrodes, in which an ionic liquid will have previously infiltrated. In a previous result, using these electrodes infiltrated with liquid electrolytes, we have obtained single cells that develop energy densities of 23.9 mW h cm2 (capacity of 13.3 mA h cm2) at a charge (or discharge) rate of 12 hours, simulating a typical day cycle. These results open the door to develop solid-state batteries with this type of electrodes.

Together with these new batteries, several elements necessary for their application in pacemakers and drones will be designed. For this, it is necessary to develop a small, efficient and safe wireless battery charger, with resonant topology and that works in the MHz environment, which can be implanted in a person as part of a pacemaker. This charger, currently not available in the clinical environment, would have a significant social impact, since it would avoid thousands of clinical interventions, annually, throughout the world.

An innovative energy manager will also be developed for this new type of battery that optimizes the charging process and extends battery life, as well as a battery charger aimed at fast charging batteries for drones. This loading process is intended to be done without the participation of the human being, improving the operability of the drone with this system.

To achieve this objective, the following partial objectives are established: