Production Scale-Up for Next Generation Batteries Using Liquefied Gas Electrolytes
This project’s intent is to develop, test and demonstrate a low rate initial production line for a liquefied gas lithium metal battery.
South 8 Technologies
Recipient
San Diego, CA
Recipient Location
39th
Senate District
78th
Assembly District
$1,028,059
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
In 2022, South 8 completed a move to its new manufacturing facility which included the installation of appropriate gas storage systems and gas delivery manifold to produce pilot quantities of the proprietary Liquefied Gas (LiGas) electrolyte for advanced Li-ion batteries. The systems are highly functional, fully automated and delivers high accuracy electrolyte mixtures for up to 500 cells per day production. Electrolyte mixing has been validated by additional efforts to install an electrolyte injection system and demonstrating highly functional Li-ion cells using the LiGas electrolyte. The technical tasks of this project are now completed.
In 2023, the project team focused on project close-out activities including completing the final report and demonstrating recyclability. South8 was able to design and build a gas delivery system utilizing gas cabinets and a gas manifold for preparation of LiGas electrolyte on a scale needed to satisfy a Low-Rate Initial Production goal of five hundred, 18650 cells per day. An electrolyte injection demonstration system was built in parallel with a design that is scalable to meet the 500 cell/day goal.
View Final ReportThe Issue
Today's Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries were initially designed for consumer electronics (i.e., laptops, cell phones). With the growing demand for grid scale storage and electric vehicles to decrease emissions, a new generation of batteries with improved performance is required. Improvements to the energy density, cost, and safety of lithium metal batteries, which have a high potential to replace lithium-ion in some applications, have been slow to develop due to limitations in electrolyte chemistries.
Project Innovation
South 8 Technologies has developed a liquefied gas electrolyte chemistry with increased performance metrics to traditional Li-ion battery electrolytes. These electrolytes enable lithium metal batteries to be produced with an increased temperature range and nearly twice the specific energy compared to traditional Li-ion batteries. Additionally, these lithium metal batteries eliminate the risk of thermal runaway hazards. The purpose of this Agreement is to fund the design and build-out for a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) pilot line for the manufacture of liquefied gas electrolyte batteries with lithium metal anodes, which have high energy density and increased safety.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
This technology is advancing alternatives to Li-ion batteries that increase the safety of energy storage while also increasing the energy density. This technology does this by allowing the use of lithium metal anodes through a liquefied gas electrolyte. The developed battery technology will serve as an ideal flexible solution for both grid storage batteries and electric vehicles.

Affordability
South 8's LiGas cells will sell at an estimated $100 / kWh in full-rate production which will lead to enhanced adoption of high-performance battery cells.

Environmental Sustainability
The recipient estimates annual emissions reductions for a 1 MWh grid-battery at 146,000 lbs of CO2. This has a substantial benefit to reducing carbon emissions and pollutants for ratepayers and increases their ability to curb climate change.

Safety
With larger battery systems, safety is of primary importance since systems may be installed near populated or environmentally sensitive areas. South 8's battery has eliminated the risk of thermal runaway hazard.
Key Project Members

Cyrus Rustomji

Jungwoo Lee
Subrecipients

Dynaelectric San Diego

University Mechanical

CRB USA

Match Partners

South 8 Technologies
