New electrolyte makes lithium-sulfur batteries safe and durable

Otis Energy has developed a stable and long-lasting lithium-sulfur battery with twice the capacity of existing lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been around since the 1960syears and are well known for their high energy density and low cost. Their main disadvantage is that lithium polysulfides dissolve well in the electrolytes used, which is why the cathode melts quite quickly.

Researchers at Otis Energy say they have developed a safe, non-flammable electrolyte thatpreserves lithium metal much longer.This extends battery life to 250 charge/discharge cycles, and within two years engineers plan to increase this figure to 500 cycles, which is the average level of modern lithium-ion batteries.

In addition, the team used in itsThe design features a passivating layer of ceramic lithium sulfide that blocks the flow of electricity, preventing overheating, sudden discharge and gradual loss of energy during idle time.

The created battery has an energy capacity of more than 500 Wh / kg, which is much better than modern commercial lithium-ion batteries.

Otis Energy has already signed a contract with the aviation industryby Bye Aerospace, which will use the developed lithium-sulfur batteries in its small electric aircraft. According to the designers, this will increase the flight range by 50-100% by reducing the mass of energy storage devices.

If the joint project is successful, the companies will consider the prospects of electrifying aircraft for regional transportation.

Due to limited lithium reserves, researchersall over the world are searching for effective alternatives from more common elements, and recently in Skoltech have developed high-power potassium batteries, charging in 10 seconds.

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