Australian battery manufacturer Li-S Energy will develop its first 20-layer battery cells utilising its third-generation (GEN3) semi-solid state lithium sulfur technology at its facility in Geelong, Victoria.
The new 20-layer cells are built using a low-flammability electrolyte, which Li-S believe will make them safer than traditional lithium sulfur and lithium-ion cells that utilise a higher flammability electrolyte.
Utilising Li-S’ patent protected Li-nanomesh technology, the cells also incorporate Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) into the cell construction to reduce dendrite growth to further improve safety and cycle life.
Key benefits of the GEN3 Li-S Energy battery system over the company’s second-generation (GEN2) lithium sulfur cells include:
- A significant improvement in volumetric energy density as a result of a lower porosity cathode material;
- A higher gravimetric energy density throughoptimised cathode material composition; and
- Enhanced safety with the use of a low flammability electrolyte.
The cells have been manufactured in the company’s semi-automated Phase 2 facility, with test cell production capacity anticipated later in the year when Li’S Energy’s new Phase 3 facility is completed.
In addition to high gravimetric energy density, which delivers a lighter weight battery, the volumetric energy density (the energy stored for a given cell volume) is also considered important by target industries for the batteries.
It offers the potential to significantly reduce the physical size of the battery packs needed for the same energy stored, or conversely to significantly increase the energy stored in a given space compared to the existing GEN2 lithium sulfur cells.
The new GEN3 cells are currently demonstrating a gravimetric energy density in the company’s laboratories of over 400 Wh/kg, and a volumetric energy density of 540 Wh/l. Compared to current Li-ion cells this is nearly double the gravimetric energy density and comparable for volumetric energy density. In practical terms this means that the cells are now the same physical size as existing Li-ion batteries but half the weight.
The Li-S Energy development team is currently working to develop the cell cycle testing and characterisation results to produce an industry standard datasheet on the new 20-layer cells.
In addition to the GEN3 semi-solid-state Li-S cells, Li-S Energy continues to progress research and development on full solid-state electrolytes in a co-funded project within the ARC Research Hub for Safe and Reliable Energy at Deakin where they jointly aim to create a full-solid-state Li-S battery.
Li-S Energy CEO, Lee Finniear commented, “The development of these new battery cells is another validation of the strength of our scientific and technical teams, and our collaboration with Deakin University and other Australian and international institutions.
“This outcome demonstrates the strength of our progress over the last year. In the coming months we look forward to commencing the production of commercial samples for our partners.”
