REG - Gelion PLC - Gelion Produces Solid-State Separator

GelionAnnouncement

13/11/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 9801L  Gelion PLC  13 November 2024

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                                                         via Alma

 John Wood, CEO

 Amit Gupta, CFO

 Thomas Maschmeyer, Founder and Principal Technology Advisor
                                                                    +44 207 220 0500

 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)

 Corporate Finance

 Neil McDonald

 Seamus Fricker

 Adam Rae

 Sales

 Louise Talbot

 Alma Strategic Communications (Financial PR Adviser)               +44 20 3405 0205

 Justine James                                                      gelion@almastrategic.com (mailto:gelion@almastrategic.com)

 Hannah Campbell

 Will Ellis Hancock

 

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.

 

 1  https://introspectivemarketresearch.com/reports/battery-separator-market/
(https://introspectivemarketresearch.com/reports/battery-separator-market/)

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