Lithium sulfur batteries getting closer

Lithium sulfur cells have the potential to significantly reduce the weight of batteries. This lightweighting is of particular interest to the military as it can significantly reduce the weight burden on soldiers.

Another benefit of lithium sulfur cells is the impressive safety levels they demonstrate. The cells can easily handle a wide variety of abuse conditions including extreme temperatures, short circuit, nail and even bullet penetration. Even when the cells are penetrated by metal nails, the cells continue to function, thus contributing further towards safeguarding the lives of soldiers on operational duty.

Lithium sulfur cells are also kinder to the environment as they do not contain any heavy metals or toxic components and the sulfur used can be a recycled product. The cells have a long shelf life and do not require charging during prolonged periods of storage. This will reduce the annual operational costs for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Next-generation battery technology company OXIS Energy has delivered the third phase of a research program to improve its lithium sulfur cells for Lincad Ltd and the MOD - the project is part of a wider Defence Science and Technology Laboratory research program.

In phase 3, OXIS has developed an advanced prototype cell and pioneering chemistry that provides a 60% increase in capacity over that delivered in phase 2 in 2013, increasing the specific energy of a cell to just under 300 Wh/kg. Over the coming months, it expects to achieve a further 20% increase in capacity using enhanced materials in the OXIS cells.

OXIS Energy Chief Executive Officer Huw Hampson-Jones said, “The OXIS team has made considerable progress in developing the cell technology for use in mobile military communications systems. Phase 3 takes us a step closer towards rolling out the safe battery systems for use by our military personnel on active duty. The next stage is to make further improvements so that the Ministry of Defence can phase in the technology and achieve significant costs savings, but more importantly, do so by safeguarding our soldiers.”