NASA's solid-electrolyte batteries survive extreme cold and heat

NASA has developed batteries with ceramic or polymer solid electrolytes that operate from -60 °C to 80 °C. Cooling them to -170 °C caused no damage, and warming them back up showed no capacity loss. The cells are intended for the Moon's south pole and other extreme environments.

• Operating range spans -60 °C to 80 °C
• Cooling to -170 °C caused no capacity loss
• Electrolyte is ceramic or polymer, not liquid
• Needs less thermal management than conventional cells