Li-S Energy develops 20-layer battery cell using GEN3 semi-solid state lithium sulphur technology
Li-S Energy’s new batteries are a lighter weight, while possessing increased energy density and enhanced safety.
Brisbane-based Li-S Energy (ASX: LIS) has announced the development of its first 20-layer battery cell utilising third-generation (GEN3) semi-solid state lithium sulphur technology.
The cells have been manufactured at the company’s semi-automated phase two facility in Victoria using a low-flammable electrolyte aimed at making the batteries safer than traditional lithium sulphur and lithium-ion cells.
They employ Li-S Energy’s patented Li-nanomesh technology and incorporate boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) into the cell construction to reduce dendrite growth and further improve safety and cycle life.
Other benefits of the new battery cell include enhanced volumetric energy density as a result of using a lower porosity cathode material to reduce the physical size of each battery pack; and higher gravimetric energy density to deliver a lightweight product through optimised cathode material composition.
The cells are reported to be the same physical size and half the weight of existing lithium-ion batteries.
Deakin partnership
Chief executive officer Lee Finniear said the 20-layer battery was the culmination of years of research in partnership with Melbourne’s Deakin University.
“The development of these new battery cells is a validation of the strength of our scientific and technical teams, and our collaboration with Deakin and other Australian and international institutions,” he said.
“This outcome demonstrates the strength of our progress over the last year we look forward to commencing production of commercial samples for our partners.”
Greater storage capacity
Lithium-sulphur (or Li-S) batteries have the potential to provide a much greater energy storage capacity than current lithium-ion batteries.
To date, lithium-sulphur’s main drawback has been a relatively short life cycle which has inhibited mass adoption of the technology.
By using BNNTs and other novel materials, Li-S Energy has been able to substantially increase the life cycle of its batteries.
Test cells have demonstrated sustained performance over 1,000 charge-and-discharge cycles while retaining a specific capacity almost three times that of a typical commercial lithium-ion battery.
The company has also been able to extend its innovation to emerging lithium-metal battery technology, with early results showing improved capacity retention and dendrite reduction.
R&D appointment
Last month, Li-S Energy appointed Dr Paul Bayley to the role of research and development manager to help scale the throughput of high-quality test and trial cells at the Phase 2 production facility.
Dr Bayley spent six years as a battery scientist at Apple Inc, where he was responsible for leading development projects for advanced lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries to be incorporated into future Apple devices.
He was also instrumental in research efforts aimed at improving the performance and safety of lithium-metal batteries.
“Dr Bayley’s industry-focused battery development experience at Apple, combined with his body of innovative lithium-metal cell research, adds significant depth and breadth to the technical and scientific capabilities of our team,” Mr Finniear said.