Modified NASA Standard Nickel-Cadmium Cell Designs

A cooperative agreement has been established between NASA and Gates Aerospace Batteries (GAB) to investigate modifications to the NASA Standard nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) cell designs. These modifications are aimed at identifying the parameters required to maximize the life of Ni-Cd cells made with plates produced by the chemical impregnation process routinely used at Gates Aerospace Batteries. Modifications to positive plates, negative plates, separators, inter-electrode spacing, and electrolyte fill levels are being investigated. The initial evaluation involves variation of positive plate production parameters including nickel attack level as controlled by passivation and impregnation, loading level and impregnation technique; negative plate loading levels, negative to positive ratios and inter-electrode spacing.