TRIP REPORT - DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER ACTIVATED BATTERY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03424A000500040006-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: July 29, 1960
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved forRelease2012/07/31 : CIA-RDP78-03424A000500040006-8
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
\
? bENTIAL
Office Memorandu ? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
: The Files - Contract RD-107, Task Order 11
FROM :
sukrocr:I(Trip Report - Development of the Water
Activated Battery r /
?
. On 12 July 1960 a visit was made to
DATE: 29 July 1960
to monitor progress on
the water activated battery being developed under Contract RD-107,
Task Order 11. Present for discussions were:
- OC -E/R+D -EP
2. Development of the water activated battery has been completed
and the first prototypes will be delivered early in August. This will
be a partial delivery which will enable this office to evaluate the
operation of the battery before completion of the remaining prototypes.
One case along with 5 refills will be delivered in the first week of
August. The remaining 5 cases and 25 refills will be delivered at a
later date.
3. Tests conducted by simulating AS-3 load
requirements proved to be satisfactory. The results from this experi-
ment were rather surprising in that there was no change in the termi-
nal voltage of the battery from a current drain of 5.3 amperes to 8
amperes. Normally, as a result of the internal resistance of the
battery a lower voltage would have been experienced at the 8 ampere
drain. These tests showed that the AS-3 could easily be operated con-
tinuously (50% duty cycle) for approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
4. Attempts to reduce the rate of corrosion of the magnesium anode
and the resultant heat evolution through additives to the electrolyte
were unsuccessful. Although chromic acid appeared to reduce the corrosion
rate it also adversely effected the silver chloride cathode. Magnesium
perchlorate, which was optimistic about at one time,
had no apparent effect. It will be necessary, therefore, to keep the
battery cool after approximately 30 minutes of operation. This can be
done in two ways:
a. The battery case has been designed with grooves to
permit wool pading to be inserted and saturated with water
which will cool the battery during operation.
b. A battery can also be kept cool by periodic addition
of electrolyte (water).
CONADENTIAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/07/31 : CIA-RDP78-03424A000500040006-8
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Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved forRelease2012/07/31 : CIA-RDP78-03424A000500040006-8
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SUBJECT: Trip Report - Development of the Water Activated Battery
Distribution:
Orig. - R+D/SUbject File V
1 - OC-TFT
1 - R+D/LaboratorY
2 - Monthly Report
1 - EP/Chrono
0C-E/R+D/EP/CWS:ame (29 July 1960)
CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/07/31 : CIA-RDP78-03424A000500040006-8
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/07/31 : CIA-RDP78-03424A000500040006-8
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CONFIDOTIAL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/07/31 : CIA-RDP78-03424A060500040006-8