LG Energy Solution Partners with U.S. Startup to Develop "Aerospace Batteries"

Strategic Research Partnership Signed with U.S. Startup South 8 Technologies
Joint Development of Aerospace Batteries for Extreme Environments

LG Energy Solution is expanding its customer and product portfolio by partnering with an innovative American startup to develop batteries for aerospace applications.

A researcher from LG Energy Solution is presenting cathode active material. LG Energy Solution

On November 12, LG Energy Solution announced that it has signed a "strategic partnership for research and development of battery cells for aerospace" with South 8 Technologies (South 8), a U.S. startup. South 8 is the first company in the world to develop liquefied gas electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries. This innovative technology was recognized last year as one of TIME magazine's "Top 200 Inventions of 2024."

South 8's "liquefied gas electrolyte" is characterized by a much lower freezing point compared to conventional liquid electrolytes, which struggle to operate normally around minus 20 degrees Celsius. This allows for excellent performance even in extreme low-temperature environments below minus 60 degrees Celsius, such as outer space. In addition, it can dramatically enhance battery safety in situations involving physical shock or rapid temperature changes. When the liquid solvent inside the cell rapidly vaporizes, it lowers the cell temperature, and the vaporized electrolyte is quickly expelled, converting the battery into a "dummy cell" (a non-operational cell), thereby significantly reducing the risk of fire and other hazards.

This collaboration between the two companies is significant as it forms part of the "aerospace project" led by KULR Technology Group, a leading U.S. provider of advanced energy storage solutions for aerospace and defense, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). KULR is currently developing low-temperature lithium-ion battery solutions for next-generation space exploration, supported by research funding from the Texas Space Commission.

South 8, which is jointly participating in this project, will work with LG Energy Solution to produce final battery cells utilizing liquefied gas electrolyte, specialized electrolyte injection technology, and special exterior materials. In this process, LG Energy Solution will be responsible for designing next-generation battery cells optimized for cryogenic environments, as well as evaluating and analyzing the performance of the final battery cells.

LG Energy Solution first established a relationship with South 8 in 2019 through its "Startup Challenge Program" and has maintained ongoing exchanges since then. Last year, the two companies signed a joint development agreement and began full-scale development of batteries based on liquefied gas electrolyte. With this latest agreement, their collaborative relationship has been further strengthened.

Kim Jeyoung, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LG Energy Solution, stated, "Liquefied gas electrolyte technology is expected to fundamentally resolve the issue of battery performance degradation in extremely cold environments." He added, "Through this technology, we will strive to create new customer value in various fields, including aerospace exploration in cryogenic environments."