LG Chem is testing lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cells. "Serial production after 2025"

We associate LG Chem mainly with the classic lithium-ion cells that are widely used in electric vehicles. However, the company is experimenting with other solutions such as lithium sulfur cells. The results are promising, mass production is possible in the second half of the decade.

Unmanned aerial vehicle with Li-S battery breaks flight record in the stratosphere

The South Korean Institute for Airspace Research has created the EAV-3 unmanned aerial vehicle. It uses new Li-S cells developed by LG Chem. During a 13-hour experiment powered by EAV-3 batteries, it flew for 7 hours in the stratosphere at an altitude of 12 to 22 kilometers. Thus, he broke the record for the altitude of the flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (source).

Classic lithium-ion cells have graphite or graphite anodes doped with silicon. Li-S cells developed by LG Chem are based on carbon sulfur anodes. We only learned about cathodes that use lithium, so they can be NCM cathodes. The manufacturer did not disclose any additional technical parameters for the cells, but said that thanks to the use of sulfur (gravimetric), the energy density of the cells is "more than 1,5 times higher" than that of lithium-ion cells.

This is a minimum of 0,38 kWh / kg.

LG Chem has announced that it will create new cell prototypes that can power an aircraft for several days. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that the manufacturer has not yet solved the problem of sulfur dissolution in the electrolyte and the rapid degradation of the Li-S battery - there were photocells on the wings, so there was no lack of energy.

In spite of this The company expects mass production of lithium sulfur cells to begin after 2025.... They will have an energy density twice that of lithium-ion cells.