13 November 2024
Gelion plc
("Gelion", "Company" or the "Group")
Gelion Produces Solid-State
Separator suitable for Li-S and Li-NMC batteries via Oxford
University's Breakthrough Technology
Gelion (AIM: GELN), the
Anglo-Australian battery innovator, announces it has successfully
fabricated advanced sulfide-based
solid-state separators utilising the novel Intellectual Property
(IP) licensed from Oxford University Innovation Limited (Oxford
University). This result enables Gelion to
proceed to the next stage of optimisation for this separator
which has the potential to not just increase the
cycle life of existing lithium metal batteries but also for
Gelion's high energy density GEN 3 lithium-sulfur (LiS)
cells.
Solid Electrolyte Separators (SES)
are recognised as a key enabler to long duration high energy
lithium metal batteries due to their potential to increase safety,
cycle life and energy density of battery technologies in which they
are employed. Their implementation has been hampered due to
challenges in their processability and manufacture and this
successful fabrication is an important step to solving these
challenges.
Significantly, these
advancements:
|
·
|
introduces another potential revenue
stream by way of licensing to Lithium nickel manganese cobalt
oxides (Li-NMC) battery manufacturers, when optimised to enable
scaled production of the SES;
|
|
·
|
facilitate the incorporation of SES
into liquid-based Li-metal (e.g., Li-NMC and Lithium-air (Li-air)
battery technologies), Li-S and solid-state Li-ion/Li-S cell
assembly;
|
|
·
|
relax the operational requirements
(i.e. external pressure and temperature) of solid-state batteries
that comprise this SES technology making this technology more
viable for commercialisation.
|
OXLiD Ltd (OXLiD), a subsidiary of
Gelion plc, has successfully fabricated a lightweight, ultra-thin,
scalable and highly flexible SES, validating Oxford University's IP
and paving the way for high energy and long cycle life batteries
for Aerospace and Automotive applications. The work was undertaken
as part of its grant funded activities
whilst part of the wave 7 cohort of the Technology Developer Accelerator Programme
(TDAP), via the Advanced Propulsion Centre
UK (APC), funded by the Department for Business and Trade.
OXLiD is further developing the novel
sulfide-based SES and its pathway to commercial manufacture which
we anticipate will translate to simplified cell level manufacture
and subsequent cost reduction.
This development directly ties into
the Group's mission to provide global energy storage solutions that
are robust, safe and affordable with low environmental impact,
enabling the supply of clean power for all. Testing of the GEN3
Li-S battery with this OXLiD developed SES will begin
soon.
Key achievements in developing the
SES include:
|
·
|
Potential route to increase the cycle life
of liquid electrolyte-based high energy lithium
metal batteries, including Gelion's proprietary GEN 3 Li-S
technology;
|
|
·
|
Potential to solve a key challenge in manufacturing of solid-state lithium batteries, which
require processable and thin SES;
|
|
·
|
Ultra-Thin Separator Development: Successfully produced and trialled ultra-thin SES (<70
microns) with potential to reduce this significantly to enable
high-performance and lightweight batteries. Thinner separators
allow for more active material (anode and cathode) to be packed
into the same volume, which reduces the weight of the
battery;
|
|
·
|
Third-Party Validation: Technology was independently validated and Gelion plans to
optimise and scale the technology for commercial use.
|
The global separator market is
projected to grow from around UDS 6 billion in 2023 to c. USD 20
billion by 2032[1]. This growth is driven
primarily by the rising adoption of electric vehicles and demand
for efficient energy storage systems, which require advanced
separators for performance and safety, especially in thermal
stability and resistance to degradation.
John Wood, Gelion CEO commented: "This achievement marks an
important milestone in unlocking the full potential of sulfur-based
batteries, contributing to the global electrification revolution.
When Gelion completed the acquisition of OXLiD we were keen to
ensure that arrangements had been finalised around the licence
between OXLiD and Oxford University Innovation for this technology,
as it has potential to make a significant contribution toward
performance enhancement for cells using Lithium Metal anodes. Now
that the fabrication has been successfully demonstrated and the
separator validated in trials, we will proceed to the next stage of
optimising the separator performance. While we haven't
recognised all the partners that contributed in this release due to
confidentiality, everyone involved has our gratitude for the
quality of their work and effort.
"Our research and development teams at Gelion are best in
class. We have some of the best minds in the industry within our
business, working towards the development and commercialisation of
technologies that will make a material impact on the greening of
the global economy. This development, following our IP licencing
agreement with Oxford University, underscores the strength of our
relationships and calibre of our core partners, a key facet of our
commercialisation strategy."
CONTACTS
|
Gelion plc
John Wood, CEO
Amit Gupta, CFO
Thomas Maschmeyer, Founder and
Principal Technology Advisor
|
via Alma
|
|
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)
|
+44 207 220
0500
|
|
Corporate Finance
Neil McDonald
Seamus Fricker
Adam Rae
Sales
Louise Talbot
|
|
|
Alma Strategic Communications (Financial PR Adviser)
Justine James
Hannah Campbell
Will Ellis Hancock
|
+44 20 3405
0205
gelion@almastrategic.com
|
About Gelion
Gelion ("gel: ion") is a global
energy storage innovator, supporting the transition to a more
sustainable economy by commercialising two globally important next
generation technologies: Lithium-Sulfur (LiS) and Zinc-based (Zn)
hybrid cells to electrify mobile and stationary applications.
Gelion plc (the Group) is listed on the London Stock Exchange's
Alternative Investment Market and wholly owns Australia based
Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd and UK based OXLiD Ltd. Gelion is
designing and delivering innovative battery technologies and
integrated systems solutions to enable that transition and return
value for its customers and investors.
Lithium Sulfur
Gelion's effort is directed at the
potential for the Li-S chemistry to deliver double the gravimetric
energy density of standard Lithium-ion chemistries whilst
concurrently reducing cost and increasing safety, targeting the EV
and e-aviation market, helping to make global transport, energy
consumption and storage more sustainable.
Gelion is developing a GEN 3 Lithium
Sulfur cell product for its high energy density sulfur cathode at
its expanded R&D facilities in Australia and UK, enabling it to
integrate with a variety of anodes ranging from graphite to silicon
to lithium metal, depending on the targeted application.
Gelion's GEN 3 cell is unlocking the
potential of sulfur batteries for a wide range of global mobile
applications including electrical vertical-take-off-and-landing
(eVTOL), drone markets, electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary
energy storage (ESS).
Advantages of Gelion's GEN 3 Lithium Sulfur
· High energy density
- Energy density > 400
Wh/kg, when using a 10+ Ah pouch cell.
·
Semi-solid-state as a route to increased longevity/cycle
life: GEN 3 employs a
semi-solid-state mechanism, maintaining the sulfur-based cathode
materials in the cathode, preventing their diffusion into the
electrolyte and diminishing associated battery degradation caused
by reactive polysulfides. This approach mitigates the major
degradation factor associated with conventional Li-S
technology.
· Increased sulfur
utilisation: GEN 3 demonstrates
the full theoretical capacity of sulfur, i.e. a much higher sulfur
utilisation than found in conventional Li-S approaches.
·
Simplified supply chain: The innovative cathode is produced by mixing
commercially available materials with abundant sulfur using a
low-energy, room-temperature process, with potential to eliminate
the need for pre-fabrication of the sulfur composite (sulfur
composite is related to cathode active material in conventional
lithium-ion batteries), streamlining the associated supply chain
and production process and enabling localised
manufacturing.
· Environmental and economic
benefits: The water-based,
standard-atmosphere cathode production process eliminates the need
for toxic solvents, leading to significant cost savings and
enhanced manufacturability.
Glossary
|
1MPa
|
This level of pressure replicates
real-world pressure conditions inside batteries and is crucial for
ensuring the durability, efficiency, and performance of the
separator in practical applications.
|
|
Ah
|
Ampere hours. A measure of capacity
stored in the cell. The larger the number the higher the
capacity.
|
|
Energy density (Wh/kg)
|
The ratio of energy stored per unit
weight i.e. Watt-hours per kilogram. The higher the number the
lighter the battery.
|
|
Pouch cell
|
An industry standard format of a
battery which comprises a flat pouch-shaped design with a
multi-layered laminate structure.
|
|
Solid-to-solid conversion
|
A low or polysulfide-free conversion
of sulfur within the cathode. Polysulfides are a dissolved form of
sulfur that is corrosive and reduces cycle life in traditional
lithium-sulfur batteries. Solid-to-solid conversion helps mitigate
the formation of these polysulfides.
|
|
Semi-solid state as a route to
increased longevity/cycle life:
|
Gelion's GEN 3 technology can employ
a semi-solid-state mechanism, maintaining the sulfur-based cathode
materials in the cathode, preventing their diffusion into the
electrolyte and diminishing associated battery degradation caused
by reactive polysulfides. This approach mitigates the major
degradation factor associated with conventional Li-S
technology.
|
|
Solid state separator
|
A solid-state separator is a solid
material that separates the anode and cathode in a battery,
enabling ion transfer while preventing short circuits enhancing
battery safety, supports higher energy densities, and allows stable
use of a lithium metal anode, increasing capacity and
lifespan.
|
|
Cycle life
|
The number of full charge and
discharge cycles a battery can complete before its capacity falls
below a specified level, typically 80% of the original capacity.
Higher cycle life indicates longer-lasting performance.
|
Zinc
Gelion is adapting its zinc
technology to comprise an alternate cathode technology, a zinc
hybrid cell to develop complementary next-generation batteries for
the lead-acid eco-system. Early testing indicates that this
solution has the potential to maintain good energy density levels
with enhanced cost and safety aspects. Once fully developed, Gelion
intends for our zinc technology to provide a durable and
sustainable market extension within the ecosystem that supports
lead-acid batteries.
Recycling
Gelion is pioneering an innovative
battery recycling technology designed to enhance and supplement
current recycling methods. Our technology aims to significantly
reduce the initial costs of recycling plants, minimize waste, and
lower carbon emissions, while improving the purity of metal
products and enabling efficient lithium extraction. This
advancement will allow for a broader range of scrap materials to be
recycled. Currently in the feasibility stage, Gelion is committed
to advancing our technology to a pilot-scale demonstration, paving
the way for commercialisation through material production and IP
licensing.
Integration
Gelion leverages its significant
integration and BMS capability to deliver bespoke BESS for
Australian customers. These BESS are currently based on lithium-ion
technology and will also include Gelion's next-generation batteries
as these become available. Gelion will deploy BESS with our
proprietary cloud-based battery monitoring system, which will
provide real-time diagnostics and alerts to maximise performance
and return on investment for our customers.
About the Advanced Propulsion Centre
UK
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK
(APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and
academia to accelerate the industrialisation of
technologies that
support the transition to zero-emission vehicles
and towards a net-zero
automotive supply
chain in the UK.
Established in 2013, the APC, with
the backing of the UK Government's Department for Business and
Trade (DBT), has facilitated funding for 304 low-carbon and zero-emission
projects involving 538 partners. Working with companies of all
sizes, this funding
is estimated to have helped create or safeguard over 59,000 jobs in
the UK. The technologies and products that result
from these projects
are projected to save over 425 million tonnes of
CO2.
With deep sector expertise and
cutting-edge knowledge of new propulsion technologies, the APC's
role in building and advising project consortia helps projects
start more quickly and deliver increased value, accelerating new
technologies to market. The APC works to drive innovation and
encourage collaboration, building the foundations for a successful
and sustainable UK automotive industry.
In 2020 the UK Government
established the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to accelerate
the development of a net-zero vehicle supply chain, enabling
UK-based manufacturers to serve global markets. ATF investments are
accessed through the APC and awarded by DBT to support
strategically important UK capital and R&D investments that
will enable companies involved in batteries, motors and drives,
power electronics, fuel cells, and associated supply chains to
anchor their future.
For more information go to
apcuk.co.uk or follow us @theapcuk on X and Advanced Propulsion
Centre UK on LinkedIn.
For
media enquiries contact:
Laurah
Hutchinson-Strain
Senior PR Manager
Email:
Laurah.hutchinson-strain@apcuk.co.uk
About Oxford University Innovation
Oxford University Innovation (OUI)
is the research commercialisation office of the University of
Oxford, recognised worldwide for its ability to engage academic
prowess through licensing, catalyse innovative solutions through
consulting services, and support the creation of spinouts,
start-ups, and social ventures. OUI is dedicated to showcasing
these transformative technologies on the global stage, bridging the
realms of academia and the commercial world, thereby weaving a
future where knowledge, innovation and partnership drive forward
solutions to global challenges.
