Virus constructed iron phosphate lithium ion batteries in unmanned aircraft systems

Abstract

FePO₄ lithium ion batteries that have cathodes constructed by viruses are scaled up in size to examine potential for use as an auxiliary battery in the Raven to power the payload equipment. These batteries are assembled at standard temperature and pressure, yet are consistently able to achieve 20nm FePO₄ particle size, creating higher energy density. Conductivity is increased in the scale up of the cathodes by integrating a stainless steel mesh to the design. A prototype auxiliary battery design is created, tested, and refined to determine how virally constructed FePO₄ batteries behave as they are scaled up.