After receiving NSF IIB SBIR funding in 2021, south 8 technologies, the developer of electrolyte formula for next-generation lithium batteries, has taken the next step in its commercialization efforts. The company raised $12 million in round a financing to accelerate the commercialization of its liquefied gas electrolyte (ligas) technology. Expected applications include electric vehicles, forklifts, all-weather grid storage, national defense, renewable energy and aerospace.
South 8 said that the new electrolyte technology will be able to produce low-cost and high-performance batteries, overcoming the shortcomings of existing lithium-based liquid electrolytes and solid-state batteries still under development. Unlike ordinary battery electrolytes or solid electrolytes that are liquid at room temperature, the company's non-toxic ligas technology uses solvents that are usually gaseous at standard pressure and room temperature. However, they can be liquefied under pressure and used as electrolytes in batteries.
South 8 explained that batteries made using its electrolyte technology would have the following advantages:
Improve safety: Although the traditional liquid electrolyte is a catalyst for thermal runaway, ligas electrolyte can be safely and quickly discharged from the battery after physical or electrical abuse. Therefore, the battery can fail safely without the risk of heat runaway or heat transmission.
High energy density: the inherent high chemical stability and high conductivity of ligas electrolyte allow the use of the highest energy materials available to put more energy into the battery.
Wide operating temperature: the low freezing point of ligas electrolyte enables lithium batteries to operate in the most extreme climatic conditions at temperatures as low as - 60 ° C and up to + 60 ° C.
Material compatibility: all traditional cathode, anode and diaphragm materials are compatible with ligas electrolyte and can be easily integrated into today's super factory.
Cost reduction: ligas electrolyte adopts mature manufacturing technology and significantly improves plant utilization, thus reducing $/ kWh for electric vehicles and energy storage system applications.
Recyclability: ligas electrolyte eliminates the high cost barrier of transporting the battery to the recycling center at the end of its service life, making it possible to widely adopt battery recycling.
The series a funds of south 8 are led by Anzu partners, and the participants include LG technology ventures, shell ventures, footill ventures and Taiyo Nippon sanso Corporation (tnsc).
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Whether you are running in the coldest extreme environment or need the highest possible power battery, south 8 can provide solutions for your applications.
