Gelion has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with the Max Planck Institute (MPI) in Potsdam to advance the development of sulfur batteries characterized by high power, extended cycle life, and elevated energy densities.
The collaboration leverages Gelion’s expertise in advanced battery technology design alongside MPI’s innovative nano-confined carbon/sulfur composite materials for cathodes and anodes. MPI’s sulfur composite technology has demonstrated significant potential in sodium-sulfur (Na-S) cells, achieving long cycle life of several hundred cycles and high-power capabilities of 10C. These attributes make the technology suitable for applications in long-duration stationary energy storage and electric vehicles (EVs), benefiting from the use of cost-effective materials and rapid charging capabilities of under ten minutes.
Preliminary evaluations relevant to Gelion’s lithium-sulfur (Li-S) technology, which targets an energy density exceeding 400 Wh/kg, have shown promising improvements in cycle life and power performance. The partnership aims to integrate the technologies and expertise of both organizations to fully demonstrate MPI’s nano-confined materials in both coin cells and larger pouch cell formats for Na-S and Li-S batteries.
Under the agreement, Gelion and MPI will consolidate their intellectual property, granting Gelion an exclusive option to acquire commercial rights to any jointly developed and relevant background IP within the three-year collaboration period or within six months thereafter. MPI will allocate two researchers to the project, with Gelion bearing their costs, focusing on core technology development, testing, and commercialization efforts.
Gelion’s board views this partnership as a natural extension of its sulfur battery strategy, significantly accelerating the path to commercialization. MPI’s data indicates that their Na-S batteries can achieve charge and discharge rates below ten minutes, with lifespans surpassing several hundred cycles and energy capacities comparable to top-tier Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries. Initial testing at Gelion’s facilities has yielded early results that affirm the effectiveness of MPI’s technology.
This collaboration also addresses industry concerns regarding the safety and durability of anode technologies by focusing on scaling solutions that mitigate metal dendrite formation. By combining MPI’s nano-confined anode materials with Gelion’s battery designs, the partnership seeks to develop commercially viable, high-performance energy storage solutions.
Prof. Thomas Maschmeyer, Gelion Founder and Director, highlighted the synergy between the two organizations, emphasizing the potential to deliver affordable and safe energy storage using abundant materials like carbon, sodium, and sulfur. Gelion CEO John Wood added that the collaboration redefines battery cell fundamentals by integrating high energy density with enhanced power and cycle life.
Source: Gelion News
