U.S. Military Awards South 8 Applied sciences $550,000 to Enhance Battery Security for Troopers

Cleantech San Diego member South 8 Applied sciences, builders of a novel liquefied fuel electrolyte (LiGas®) for the subsequent technology of secure and high-performance lithium-ion batteries, and NanoGraf, a complicated battery supplies firm and enabler of the world’s most energy-dense lithium-ion 18650 cell, have obtained a joint $550,000 award from the U.S. Military Fight Capabilities Improvement Command (DEVCOM) to pair NanoGraf’s 3.8 Ah 18650 cell with South 8’s electrolyte for chilly temperature and security testing.

Troopers carry upwards of 25 kilos of batteries throughout missions, and generally have to have backups as some batteries carry out poorly in harsh climate circumstances or after being bodily broken.

The DoD award will fund a six-month undertaking to verify batteries with NanoGraf and South 8’s know-how cut back or eradicate catastrophic failure when uncovered to excessive temperatures or nail penetration, in accordance with MIL-PRF-32383 4.7.4.4 (Army Efficiency Specification). Profitable completion of the testing will validate the acute chilly temperature efficiency of the cell and preserve present capability and cycle life, permitting the cell to function right down to -60 levels, and as much as +60 celsius and move the security take a look at. NanoGraf’s M38 18650 cell can at the moment function right down to -30 celsius.

Presently Li-ion cells are affected by poor low temperature capability and expertise thermal runaway at excessive temperatures or when crushed/punctured. Combining NanoGraf and South8 applied sciences has the potential to alleviate each circumstances, yielding a cell with few drawbacks when it comes to efficiency or security.

“We’re thrilled about this current grant, because it offers much more efficiency differentiation for our Division of Protection buyer,” stated Dr. Francis Wang, CEO of NanoGraf. “Including the security and chilly temperature take a look at with South 8 additional extends NanoGraf’s efficiency profile from different business cells.”

This funding comes on the heels of some main milestones for each NanoGraf and South 8. In March of 2023, NanoGraf introduced an oversubscribed Sequence B funding spherical of $65 million. In November of 2022, the corporate was awarded a $10 million contract from the U.S. Authorities to develop the primary superior silicon anode manufacturing facility within the Midwest. In January of 2023, South 8 was awarded $3.15 million by the Division of Power to take part in its American Low-Carbon Residing (EVs4ALL) program.

“We’re excited for the chance to work with NanoGraf in the direction of a business cell that mixes our two differentiating applied sciences into one highly effective product,” stated Cyrus Rustomji, CEO and co-founder of South 8 Applied sciences. “The Division of Protection and NanoGraf are unbelievable companions, and we’re thrilled to be working in the direction of enhancing soldier capabilities throughout essential missions in more and more harder climates.

Share this….