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.
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1.
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Performance of OXIS GEN2 technology
acquired from Johnson Matthey has been replicated and
validated:
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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).
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2.
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Gelion's Next Generation (beyond
GEN2) technology (combined OXIS/OXLiD/Gelion Technologies) pouch
cell testing successfully implemented, displaying superior
solid-to-solid Sulfur behavior:
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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.
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3.
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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.
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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
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Gelion plc
John Wood, CEO
Amit Gupta, CFO
Thomas Maschmeyer, Founder and
Principal Technology Advisor
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via Alma
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Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)
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+44 207 220
0500
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Corporate Finance
Neil McDonald; Seamus Fricker;
Fergus Sullivan
Sales
Leif Powis
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Alma Strategic Communications (Financial PR Adviser)
Justine James; Hannah Campbell; Will Ellis Hancock
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+44 20 3405
0205
gelion@almastrategic.com
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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.