W. L. Gore & Associates and Lockheed Martin Ventures co-lead investment to accelerate deployment of LiGas battery cells for soldier power, unmanned aerial systems, and space platforms
South 8 Technologies, the developer of LiGas, the world’s first liquefied gas electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries, today announced an $11 million follow-on funding round co-led by the venture arm of W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) and Lockheed Martin Ventures. The capital will accelerate the commercialization of South 8’s LiGas battery cells for aerospace and defense applications that require reliable energy in the harshest environments.
The round included participation from Anzu Partners, IQT, LG Technology Ventures, Porsche Ventures, Foothill Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and Galvion, a key South 8 business partner focused on intelligent soldier power and data systems.
LiGas batteries replace conventional liquid electrolytes with a patented blend of liquefied, non-toxic gases that operate over an unprecedented temperature range from –60 °C to +60 °C (-76 °F to 140 °F). This gas-based chemistry maintains high capacity and allows charging in freezing conditions, alleviating the risk of cold-weather failure in critical equipment including soldier radios, battery packs, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In addition, LiGas batteries employ a thermal fuse to rapidly remove the electrolyte from the battery during abuse, reducing the risk of a larger battery fire. The proprietary gas formulation also enables fast charging and longer battery lifetimes.
With this new funding, South 8 will expand its manufacturing capability in San Diego to produce LiGas-based cylindrical cells to complete qualification with leading defense and aerospace customers and deliver on multi-year supply agreements.
“LiGas unlocks performance that conventional lithium-ion simply cannot match at low temperatures or high altitudes,” said Jungwoo Lee, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of South 8 Technologies. “With this investment, we’re accelerating commercialization and building the manufacturing capacity needed to support our customers’ most advanced systems.”
LiGas is an enabling technology for next generation defense and aerospace products and platforms. South 8 recently announced a strategic collaboration with LG Energy Solution to co-develop space-rated LiGas batteries for missions that require reliable operation down to minus -60 °C, in partnership with KULR Technology Group and NASA. Two other strategic partnerships are outlined in Letters of Intent that South 8 recently signed with innovative battery pack manufacturers. The first, with Galvion, focuses on integrating LiGas cells into soldier power solutions for use in extreme cold environments. The second, with CTNS, with the goal of developing LiGas-based battery packs specifically for defense and aerospace clients in North America and allied markets.
Explore the Business Insights Journal for up-to-date strategies and industry breakthroughs!
