Monash University engineers have developed an ultra-fast charging lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, capable of powering long-haul EVs and commercial drones.
The breakthrough technology introduces a catalyst inspired by the chemistry of betadine, a common household antiseptic, to accelerate the charge and discharge rates of Li-S batteries
A new start-up, Ghove Energy, is advancing towards manufacturing and commercial applications of the disruptive battery technology. With rapid charging times, the lightweight Li-S batteries could soon power drones, with electric aircraft a future possibility
Researchers aim to demonstrate the technology in commercial drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) within a year. The novel batteries double the energy density of conventional lithium-ion batteries while being significantly lighter and more affordable.
Until now, lithium sulfur batteries weren’t commercially viable because their complex chemistry made them too slow to charge.
The discovery
The breakthrough research, a decade in the making and published today in Advanced Energy Materials, marks a transformative step in renewable battery technology and sets a new benchmark for practical lithium-sulphur prototypes.
Maleesha Nishshanke is the paper’s first author and a PhD candidate at the Monash Nanoscale Science and Engineering Lab (NSEL).
“Inspired by the chemistry of betadine, a common household antiseptic, we found a way to accelerate the charge and discharge rates, making them a viable battery option for real-world heavy-duty use,” Nishshanke says.
Co-lead author of the paper Dr Petar Jovanović believes the Li-S batteries could power commercial drones while bringing the vision of high-performance, sustainable electric aviation closer to reality.
“This represents a major breakthrough toward making Li-S a feasible option not just for long-haul EVs but particularly in industries like aviation and maritime that require rapid, reliable power that is crucially light-weighted,” Jovanović says.
In an electric car, the Li-S batteries could power an extra 1000 kilometres on a single charge while cutting recharge time to a few hours.
“Imagine an electric vehicle that can travel from Melbourne to Sydney on a single charge or a smartphone that charges in minutes — we’re on the cusp of making this a reality,” Jovanović says.
Co-lead researcher and Director of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials, Professor Mainak Majumder, said Li-S technology typically struggled to maintain high performance without degrading quickly but this game-changing battery could handle a lot of power being taken out at once without breaking down. The batteries are cheaper and store more energy.
Li-S batteries are also a greener alternative to the materials used in traditional Li-ion batteries, which rely on limited and often environmentally harmful resources like cobalt.”