South 8 Technologies, a San Diego-based innovator redefining lithium-ion battery performance with its patented LiGas® cell technology, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with 3ME Technology, an Australian‑owned specialist in ultra‑safe lithium‑ion battery systems for defense, mining and maritime operations, to collaborate on the development of next‑generation lithium‑ion battery solutions designed for extreme cold‑weather and Arctic defense operations.
The LOI establishes a framework to integrate South 8’s LiGas-enabled cells into 3ME’s EdgeVOLT™ Cold Weather Variant battery solution, while also exploring broader product opportunities. The collaboration targets defense applications requiring reliable, ultra-safe, portable power in austere environments.
Under the agreement, South 8 will supply LiGas battery cells at production scale, which enable operation between ‑60 °C (-76 °F) and +60 °C (140 °F), and 3ME will integrate them into its EdgeVOLT battery solution. The battery systems are expected to be deployed in extreme environments, including sustained Arctic conditions. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which suffer significant energy loss and increased safety risks in sub-zero climates, LiGas technology enables reliable discharge and recharge across a wide operating range, addressing critical gaps in mission endurance, communications reliability, and silent watch capability.
“3ME is at the forefront of defense and mobile power electrification,” said Justin Bain, CEO of 3ME Technology. “We are seeing a clear shift in defense posture toward operations in colder and more extreme environments. Our EdgeVOLT systems are already supporting warfighters with deployable power where reliability is critical, and this collaboration with South 8 positions us to accelerate the development of an extreme cold‑weather battery capability that sets a new benchmark for safety and performance.”
“This LOI reflects a shared commitment to advancing energy storage for the most demanding operating conditions across the ANZUS, AUKUS, and NATO alliances.” said Jungwoo Lee, CEO of South 8. “LiGas enables a new level of cold-weather performance, and we look forward to unlocking next-generation capabilities across critical defense and commercial platforms alongside 3ME.”
Under this LOI, 3ME and South 8 will explore joint development and commercialization opportunities leveraging South 8 LiGas cells’ wide temperature operating range to deliver deployable, mission-ready power solutions aligned with evolving defense requirements.
