OXIS Energy Ltd

OXIS Energy Ltd, established in 2004 in Oxfordshire, UK, specialized in developing advanced lithium-sulfur batteries. Offering higher energy density and lighter, safer solutions, their technology targeted aviation, defense, and electric vehicle industries. In 2021, Johnson Matthey acquired their assets and intellectual property.

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OXIS Energy Ltd, established in 2004 through collaboration with the Russian Academy of Science, specializes in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery technology development and commercialization. From its base in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, the company focused on creating advanced Li-S batteries that offer substantial improvements over traditional lithium-ion solutions. With its innovative approach to battery chemistry, OXIS Energy aimed to transform various sectors, including aviation, defense, and electric vehicle industries, by providing lighter, safer, and more efficient energy storage solutions.

Battery Technology

OXIS Energy’s lithium-sulfur batteries represent a significant technological advancement in energy storage. These batteries achieve theoretical energy density of 2,500-2,750 Wh/kg, substantially exceeding the 400-450 Wh/kg typical of lithium-ion batteries. The technology utilizes sulfur instead of heavy metals like cobalt and nickel, resulting in lighter batteries particularly suitable for aviation and electric vehicle applications.

The company’s Li-S technology incorporates several distinctive features. A sulfur passivation layer prevents thermal runaway, while an organic electrolyte maintains stable operation at high temperatures. The absence of cobalt, manganese, nickel, and copper in these batteries addresses supply chain concerns and reduces environmental impact. Additionally, the use of sulfur, an abundant and cost-effective material, presents potential economic advantages as the technology matures.

Recent Projects

Information not available.

Investors

Before entering administration, OXIS Energy secured backing from several significant investors. These included Sasol Technology, Oxford Technology VCT, Hazel Capital, Aerotec Fund, CODEMIG (Minas Gerais), Safran Corporate Ventures, and Arkema. A notable investment came from Sasol New Energy, which provided £15 million in funding in 2012. Currently, the company’s assets and intellectual property are owned by Johnson Matthey.