SABERS: Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology Portfolio

The SABERS innovators developed novel lithium-sulfur designs, including sulfur-selenium on graphene cathodes, and lightweight bipolar plate stacking and packaging designs. SABERS is unique in several aspects, in particular, it deploys graphene-based manufacturing processes for the cathode and bipolar plates, and it uses a solid-state electrolyte in place of the liquid electrolyte found in other lithium-sulfur battery designs. The team has achieved energy densities over 500 W-hr/kg, with ongoing development targeting further improvements. Coin cell and pouch prototype demonstrations have been successful and are ongoing. Major component technologies in SABERS include the following: • S/Se Cathode – Sulfur/Selenium on graphene scaffold (LEW-20228-1) • Solid Electrolyte – Solid-state electrolyte composites (LEW-20445-1) • Bipolar Stack – Graphene plates (LAR-20257-1) Robust computational models have been developed to support the battery materials design and are available to licensees to evaluate and optimize different materials combinations and performance targets. Further developments in catholyte formulations, anode interlayering, and packaging optimization are presented in SABERS 2.0 (LEW-TOPS-188). Individual technologies can be licensed from either suite, or entire portfolios can be licensed to support solid-state battery development programs. SABERS (Solid-state Architecture Batteries for Enhanced Rechargeability and Safety) is a portfolio of innovations developed collaboratively by NASA's Glenn, Langley, and Ames Research Centers that addresses fundamental challenges in solid-state battery technology. Solid-state batteries replace the flammable liquid electrolytes found in conventional lithium-ion batteries with solid materials, offering transformative improvements in safety and energy density. However, realizing this potential requires solving critical problems in materials compatibility, manufacturing scalability, and system integration. SABERS tackles these challenges through several complementary innovations: novel materials, graphene-based manufacturing, dry-processing techniques, solid-state architecture developments, and computational design tools. NASA developed SABERS primarily for next-generation electric aviation propulsion, where solid-state batteries' combination of high energy density, damage tolerance, and inherent safety is essential. The technology addresses broader challenges facing solid-state battery commercialization across automotive, aerospace, energy storage, and other industries. NASA is seeking industry partners to advance this technology toward commercial deployment. SABERS is available for licensing as a complete portfolio or as individual component technologies.