U.S. Military Awards South 8 Applied sciences $550,000 to Improve Battery Security for Troopers
Cleantech San Diego member South 8 Applied sciences, builders of a novel liquefied fuel electrolyte (LiGas®) for the subsequent era of secure and high-performance lithium-ion batteries, and NanoGraf, a complicated battery supplies firm and enabler of the world’s most energy-dense lithium-ion 18650 cell, have obtained a joint $550,000 award from the U.S. Military Fight Capabilities Improvement Command (DEVCOM) to pair NanoGraf’s 3.8 Ah 18650 cell with South 8’s electrolyte for chilly temperature and security testing.
Troopers carry upwards of 25 kilos of batteries throughout missions, and generally must have backups as some batteries carry out poorly in harsh climate circumstances or after being bodily broken.
The DoD award will fund a six-month mission to verify batteries with NanoGraf and South 8’s know-how cut back or get rid of catastrophic failure when uncovered to excessive temperatures or nail penetration, in accordance with MIL-PRF-32383 4.7.4.4 (Navy Efficiency Specification). Profitable completion of the testing will validate the acute chilly temperature efficiency of the cell and keep current capability and cycle life, permitting the cell to function right down to -60 levels, and as much as +60 celsius and go the security take a look at. NanoGraf’s M38 18650 cell can presently function right down to -30 celsius.
At present Li-ion cells are stricken by poor low temperature capability and expertise thermal runaway at excessive temperatures or when crushed/punctured. Combining NanoGraf and South8 applied sciences has the potential to alleviate each circumstances, yielding a cell with few drawbacks when it comes to efficiency or security.
“We’re thrilled about this latest grant, because it offers much more efficiency differentiation for our Division of Protection buyer,” mentioned Dr. Francis Wang, CEO of NanoGraf. “Including the security and chilly temperature take a look at with South 8 additional extends NanoGraf’s efficiency profile from different business cells.”
This funding comes on the heels of some main milestones for each NanoGraf and South 8. In March of 2023, NanoGraf introduced an oversubscribed Collection B funding spherical of $65 million. In November of 2022, the corporate was awarded a $10 million contract from the U.S. Authorities to develop the primary superior silicon anode manufacturing facility within the Midwest. In January of 2023, South 8 was awarded $3.15 million by the Division of Vitality to take part in its American Low-Carbon Dwelling (EVs4ALL) program.
“We’re excited for the chance to work with NanoGraf in the direction of a business cell that mixes our two differentiating applied sciences into one highly effective product,” mentioned Cyrus Rustomji, CEO and co-founder of South 8 Applied sciences. “The Division of Protection and NanoGraf are unimaginable companions, and we’re thrilled to be working in the direction of enhancing soldier capabilities throughout important missions in more and more tougher climates.
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