Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) technology evaluation for aircraft battery applications

Available cylindrical and prismatic commercial Ni-MH batteries using AB/sub 5/ and AB/sub 2/ cathodes were evaluated for possible application to military aircraft batteries. Commercial AB/sub 5/ technology is further advanced than AB/sub 2/ technology and would require less alloy, electrolyte and single cell/battery development for near term (3-5 years) applications. Tested AB/sub 2/ technology appears inadequate to meet the near term military requirements and would require a major development in the alloy to overcome the irreversible capacity loss at temperatures above 49/spl deg/C. In addition, significant advances in alloy, electrolyte and single cell/battery development would also be needed.