REG - Gelion PLC - Lithium-Sulfur Battery development update

GelionAnnouncement

19/03/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 3149H  Gelion PLC  19 March 2024

19 March 2024

 

Gelion plc

Gelion Next Generation Lithium-Sulfur Battery development update

 

Gelion (AIM: GELN), the Anglo-Australian battery innovator, announces an
update on its Next Generation Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) battery development.

 

Gelion is pleased to announce that the recent test results display early
validation of the primary elements of Gelion's technology plan, building on
our acquisition of a leading Li-S IP portfolio from Johnson Matthey,
acquisition of OXLiD, and the JDA with IonBlox in 2023.

 

 1.        Performance of OXIS GEN2 technology acquired from Johnson Matthey has been
           replicated and validated:
           -                                         Gelion has benchmarked OXIS GEN2 cell technology (acquired from Johnson
                                                     Matthey in March 2023) and produced 1.0Ah pouch cells that achieved 245 Wh/kg
                                                     in testing. Independent modelling from the 1.0Ah cells predicts that 5Ah cells
                                                     currently being prepared for fabrication can be expected to achieve
                                                     approximately 400 Wh/kg, in-line with OXIS Energy's results. High Wh/kg
                                                     translates to lighter batteries and opens many advantages for transport
                                                     applications including e-aviation and Electric Vehicles (EVs).

 2.        Gelion's Next Generation (beyond GEN2) technology (combined OXIS/OXLiD/Gelion
           Technologies) pouch cell testing successfully implemented, displaying superior
           solid-to-solid Sulfur behavior:
           -                                         Gelion has produced 0.5Ah pouch cells (lithium-metal anode) with its cathode
                                                     and electrolyte. These cells confirm that the solid-to-solid behaviour
                                                     developed in coin cells successfully transfers to larger cell formats.

 3.        Gelion's testing of IonBlox SiOx anode with Gelion Next Generation Cathode and
           Electrolyte is demonstrating expected capacity and indicate stable cycling.
           The specific capacities being achieved are substantially higher than
           achievable with common NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) cathodes. Gelion
           anticipates that its metal-free cathode, based on abundant sulfur, will result
           in a cheaper, more stable and safer battery.

 

Gelion's ambition for its Next Generation platform is to unlock the potential
of sulfur batteries for a wide range of global applications including
electrical vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL), drone markets, EV, and
stationary energy storage (ESS). Sulfur being an abundant material offers a
future not limited by geographically concentrated and controlled battery
metals.

 

John Wood, CEO of Gelion said: "Strong recognition is emerging of the
anticipated importance of Li-S technology in the energy transition and the
expected commercial scale of the market. Our strategic plan towards LiS has
been to develop or acquire strong intellectual property and know-how with the
goal of establishing leadership at the right time.  I am delighted that our
initial results are in-line with or exceeding our predictions for that plan.
Li-S aims to double the typical gravimetric energy density of current
Lithium-Ion batteries (halve the weight) opening applications where weight and
safety are the primary requirements. Gelion is following a unique approach
that combines the use of inexpensive materials with low-cost processing. We
believe this to be an important technological contribution that will be a
strong base from which to build commercial success.

 

"The potential of Li-S has long been known but achieving the performance
benefits of Li-S batteries is not simple.  Gelion has uniquely assembled the
team of experts and the IP to allow us to crack the technical challenges. Our
results indicate that our pathway is on track."

 

 

Background

In May 2023, Gelion updated on the progress made using the battery technology
package acquired from Johnson Matthey (containing, in addition to its own IP,
the Li-S IP and know-how from OXIS Energy). Gelion has worked over the past
nine months to benchmark, improve on, and define a next-generation approach to
Li-S battery development.

 

Li-S batteries are an advanced alternative to Li-ion batteries that can
achieve much greater gravimetric energy densities (measured as amount of
energy per battery weight). This is critical to drive down the weight in
mobile applications such as airplanes, drones and electric vehicles, reducing
auxiliary component cost and lessening their upfront environmental impact.
They do not contain rare metals in the cathode and can be scaled to meet the
demands of global electrification. The technology shows promise to be safer
(lower risk of fires) than current batteries.

 

CONTACTS

 Gelion plc                                                                                         via Alma

 John Wood, CEO

 Amit Gupta, CFO

 Thomas Maschmeyer, Founder and Principal Technology Advisor

 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)  +44 207 220 0500
 Corporate Finance

 Neil McDonald; Seamus Fricker; Fergus Sullivan

 Sales

 Leif Powis

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

 Justine James; Hannah Campbell; Will Ellis Hancock                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 (Li-S) and Zinc-based
(Zn) hybrid cells to electrify mobile and stationary applications. Gelion plc
(the Group) is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market and wholly
owns Australia based Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd. Gelion is designing and
delivering innovative battery technology 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 product for its high energy density sulfur cathode at
its expanded R&D facilities in Sydney, enabling it to integrate with a
variety of anodes ranging from graphite to silicon to lithium metal, depending
on the targeted application.

 

Gelion recently also expanded in the UK by acquiring OXLiD Ltd, significantly
increasing its capability in cathode improvement thereby accelerating path to
commercial partners and commercialisation.

 

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 its
zinc technology to provide a durable and sustainable market extension within
the ecosystem that supports lead-acid batteries.

 

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