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Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are currently under development for NASA missions, earth sciences, aeronautics, the military, and commercial applications. The design of an all electric power and propulsion system for small UAVs was the focus of a detailed study. Currently, many of these small vehicles are powered by primary (nonrechargeable) lithium-based batteries. While this type of battery is capable of satisfying some of the mission needs, a secondary (rechargeable) battery power supply system that can provide the same functionality as the current system at the same or lower system mass and volume is desired. A study of commercially available secondary battery cell technologies that could provide the desired performance characteristics was performed.

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.