Amprius Technologies SiCore SA102 High Energy Pouch Cell

The Amprius SiCore SA102 is a silicon-anode pouch cell from the High Energy line of Amprius Technologies. It is intended for fixed-wing drones, that is, long-range flights where energy per kilogram matters more than peak current. The data sheet is marked preliminary; individual values may change before the final version.

With 450 Wh/kg and 950 Wh/l the cell stands for a great deal of energy per kilogram and per litre. Capacity is 4,300 mAh at 1C. The continuous discharge current of 4.3 A is calculated from C-rate and capacity; 1C means the cell is empty in about an hour. That is enough for the cruise of a light fixed-wing aircraft, but not for drives with a high current demand. The preliminary data sheet gives 150 cycles.

Lithium cells must meet the tests of UN 38.3 for transport. Spare cells are protected against short circuit, for instance in the original packaging or with taped terminals, and pouch cells are also kept from pressure. For air travel the IATA limits of 100 and 160 Wh per battery apply; whether a finished pack stays below them depends on the sum of the cell energies. Joining cells into a pack remains a job for specialist workshops.

At 150 cycles every flight counts. The SA102 therefore suits missions where energy per gram is the bottleneck and the number of flights stays modest. Store it partly charged, do not charge in frost, and mount the pack so the pouch cells lie evenly. Cycle figures apply to a fixed test profile, usually to 80 % remaining capacity; in flight with higher currents the number is lower.