OXIS Energy hits 425 Wh/kg with Li-S cell,expects to achieve 450 Wh/kg by end of year
03 October 2018
OXIS Energy UK has achieved 425 Wh/kg on a High Energy 16Ah pouch Lithium Sulfur (Li-S) cell design for HAPS applications (High Altitude Pseudo Satellites) and expects to achieve 450Wh/kg at cell level by the end of 2018. OXIS aims to reach 500Wh/kg by the end of 2019 through its many collaborations and partnerships.
At 425 Wh/kg, OXIS has one of the lightest pouch cells currently available and is already attracting significant interest from major players in the aerospace sector. The cell is about to go into prototype applications.
—Dr David Ainsworth, Chief Technology Officer
OXIS has also developed a prototype battery module for the aviation sector which has enabled OXIS’ customers to increase flight time three-fold. The battery module uses a High Power, Ultra-Light Lithium Sulfur pouch cell at 300 Wh/kg.
Future modules will tap into the increasing capabilities of Lithium Sulfur pouch cells, where High Power cells are forecast to achieve 400 Wh/kg by 2019.
The benefits of switching to electric aircraft are seen as reduced costs and reduced noise pollution. The most important part for that success is having very lightweight batteries which store sufficient energy to provide the required aircraft flight time and range. We are delighted that lithium sulfur provides this solution and will enable the uptake of electric aviation.
—Dr Mark Crittenden, Head of Battery Development & Integration
OXIS’s relationship with key materials suppliers remains crucial in the achievement of these technical milestones. OXIS has also been awarded the LiSFAB project which is funded by Innovate UK through the Faraday Challenge Programme which aims to improve the power and cycle life of the OXIS Li-S technology for heavy electrical vehicles.
In the last 12 months, the pace of technological development has quickened substantially. This reflects our collaboration with some of the world’s foremost material companies, as well as clients in the aviation, defence and automotive sectors. OXIS has a special program valued at US$10 million, dedicated to the development of high powered lithium sulfur cells for electric buses and trucks.
—Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO of OXIS
Good potential news with rather confusing performance figures?
Posted by: HarveyD | 03 October 2018 at 08:51 AM
There is a distinction between the cell and integrated battery module performance figures. As one would expect, the latter is lower Wh/kg.
Posted by: Thomas Lankester | 03 October 2018 at 09:58 AM
If it is aimed at the space sector, it might be very expensive, even if it is very good.
Maybe the price will come down - who knows.
Either way, I wish them well.
Posted by: mahonj | 03 October 2018 at 11:08 AM
OXIS ENERGY & THE ZEPHYR INNOVATION PROGRAMME.
This battery will be used in the Airbus Zephyr solar high altitude flyers capable of 20 km and months of flight at a time. 'The long term aim of this is to bring billions of people online in places like Africa, South America, India and Indonesia.' Airbus expects to build up to 500 Zephyrs by 2020.
Posted by: Ttmarket | 03 October 2018 at 01:08 PM
Instead of trying to keep a heavier-than-air craft flying for months, they'd probably have an easier time using super-pressure balloons with a bit of power for station-keeping. Cheaper, too.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 03 October 2018 at 03:59 PM
pouch Lithium Sulfur..
EP said pouch was only for lab work, not for EVs.
Posted by: SJC | 12 November 2018 at 10:32 AM