The lithium—sulfur dioxide primary battery — its characteristics, performance and applications

The lithium—sulfur dioxide battery is a new primary battery system with many advantages over conventional batteries. It has an energy density up to 330 W h/kg (150 W h/lb.), two to four times greater than zinc batteries, and can perform to temperatures as low as −54 °C (−65 °F). The battery can withstand high temperature storage 71 °C (160 °F) for long periods of time and its shelf life is projected to be 5 – 10 years at 21 °C (70 °F). The chemistry, construction and detailed performance characteristics of the battery are presented. The Li/SO2 system provides an all-purpose, all-climate primary battery that is capable of filling a wide variety of military, industrial and consumer applications. A number of these applications are discussed. With increasing production and cost reduction, the Li/SO2 battery will be cost-competitive and will receive wide acceptability and use.