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Aerojet Rocketdyne and ZAF Energy Partner on Nickel-Zinc Batteries

May 22, 2019 by Scott McMahan

Aerojet Rocketdyne and ZAF Energy Systems have agreed to partner to work together on an energy storage system using ZAF's nickel-zinc batteries and Aerojet Rocketdyne's battery management system (BMS).

ZAF says that Ni-Zn batteries have excellent intrinsic properties, such as high performance, low environmental impact, long cycle life, low life-cycle cost. Technologies developed by ZAF include a proprietary electrolyte and zinc electrode formulation that drastically reduces zinc electrode solubility enabling high specific energy, and specific power, and long cycle life, along with maintenance-free operation.

ZAF contends that enhanced safety is one of the most significant advantages of its Ni-Zn battery.

"Our battery management systems provide unprecedented control and health monitoring capabilities for a variety of energy storage solutions," said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake. "With this new ZAF agreement, we're expanding our power systems portfolio."

"Nickel-zinc batteries are ideally suited to replace lead-acid batteries where performance, weight, and life-cycle requirements need to be improved," said Randy Moore, president and CEO of ZAF Energy Systems. "We are excited to work with Aerojet Rocketdyne. Together we will make our nickel-zinc battery systems smarter and expand our reach for mission-critical applications."

While nickel-zinc batteries do not require a BMS for cell balancing and safety while charging, the BMS can enhance reliability and drastically improve battery life cycle for aerospace and defense applications. The companies assert that the new energy storage system that the companies are producing is a safe, advanced, and cost-effective alternative to traditional batteries for both space and military applications.