REG - Gelion PLC - Successful Grant of three LiS Patents in the U.S.

GelionAnnouncement

26/02/2025 07:15

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RNS Number : 5188Y  Gelion PLC  26 February 2025

26 February 2025

Gelion plc

("Gelion", "Company" or the "Group")

 

Successful Grant of three LiS Patents in the U.S.

 

Gelion (AIM: GELN), the Anglo-Australian battery innovator, is pleased to
announce the successful award of three patents in the United States in
relation to the Group's core Lithium-Sulfur (LiS) technology and the
acceptance of one of its recycling patent applications by the United States
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Gelion continues to actively pursue, focus, and strengthen its Intellectual
Property (IP) portfolio in accordance with its IP Strategy. Gelion's IP
strategy includes an ongoing review and assessment of its IP portfolio, of
both registered (e.g. patents) and unregistered (e.g. know-how, trade secrets)
IP rights to ensure that the Group's IP portfolio continues to align and best
protect the key areas of its technology as it matures, with a goal to develop
a strong IP portfolio while delivering value for its shareholders.

LiS patents granted

Gelion has successfully advanced several patent applications pertaining to its
core LiS technology, including the granting of three cases in the United
States since July 2024. These three patents provide protection in the U.S. for
different aspects of the Group's technology and align directly with its
roadmap, protecting key advancements that contribute to:

·      enhancement of cycling performance and extension of cell
lifespan;

·      improvement of cathode structural integrity, leading to greater
cycling stability; and

·      enablement of one-step manufacturing of single- or double-sided
electrodes.

These grants further strengthen Gelion's comprehensive LiS IP portfolio, which
now includes over 200 patents and patent applications across 44 families,
covering anode, cathode, electrolyte, battery design/manufacturing, and
battery management ensuring end-to-end protection across the entire Li-S
battery value chain.

Recycling patent application accepted

In parallel, Gelion continues to pursue its recycling IP portfolio, with one
application recently being accepted in the United States. This application
outlines an approach for improving the purity of high-value metals (e.g.
nickel, cobalt) recovered from the waste batteries by providing a method for
the removal of iron impurities.

The Group expects progression of the application in the U.S. will strengthen
applications in other major markets, including Europe and China, in line with
Gelion's IP strategy to have broad protection of its IP portfolio in key
markets globally.

Gelion is currently developing its recycling technology with funding support
from the UK government, and continues to explore commercialisation
opportunities, including securing independent funding in accordance with its
strategic plan.

Gelion's Recycling IP portfolio now includes 9 patent families (with cases
both granted and under examination).

Gelion CEO John Wood said: "Gelion's scientists and engineers are diligently
advancing our leadership in Sulfur battery technology as we unlock its full
potential. Securing the confidence of our supply chain partners is essential
as commercialisation progresses, particularly regarding IP rights. To achieve
this, we leverage both our internal expertise and world-class advisors.

"Patent grants serve as a testament to our innovation, and we actively
develop, review, and refine (including consolidation of areas where we assess
value does not merit cost) our portfolio to maximise and concentrate value.
Our focus remains on building a high-quality IP portfolio that strengthens our
commercial objectives."

CONTACTS

 Gelion plc                                                              via Alma

 John Wood, CEO

 Amit Gupta, CFO

 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)  +44 20 7220 0500

 Corporate Finance

 Neil McDonald / Seamus Fricker / Adam Rae

 Sales

 Louise Talbot

 Oberon Capital (Joint Broker)                                           +44 20 3179 5300
 Nick Lovering/ Mike Seabrook / Adam Pollock

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

 Justine James / Hannah Campbell / Will Ellis Hancock                    gelion@almastrategic.com (mailto: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 / Solid-State as a route to increased
longevity/cycle life: GEN 3 employs a semi-solid-state and solid-state
mechanism which 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.

 

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