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

beenhere

$1,028,059

Amount Spent

closed

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 Report

The 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

Establish pilot production capability for producing 500 cells in 18650 form-factor (8 kWh) per day.
Complete build of a gas manifold capable of producing enough electrolyte for 500 cells in 18650 form-factor per day.
Demonstrate technical feasibility of manufacturing LiGas electrolytes and reach MRL 8.
Help monitor water use for leakage detection and mitigate inadvertent water use.

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.

Lower Costs

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 & Public Health

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.

Increase Safety

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

Cyrus Rustomji

CEO
Jungwoo Lee

Jungwoo Lee

CTO
South 8 Technologies, Inc.

Subrecipients

Rocket

Dynaelectric San Diego

Rocket

University Mechanical

Rocket

CRB USA

Rocket

Match Partners

Rocket

South 8 Technologies

Rocket

Contact the Team

*Required