Funding for lithium battery development

The consortium, which will be led by Steatite, also includes OXIS Energy Ltd, underwater vehicle designers MSubs Ltd and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).

Huw Hampson-Jones said, CEO, OXIS Energy, said: “We are extremely proud of being at the forefront of developing lithium sulphur battery technology and this collaborative funding will allow us to combine our strengths.”

Lithium sulphur batteries are well suited for use in subsea applications due to their increased specific energy, their mass density and high safety. They also have five times the theoretical maximum specific energy of lithium-ion cells.

Because their mass density is very similar to that of water, bulky and expensive buoyancy foam is not required for underwater vehicles as with lithium polymer batteries.

They’re safer to use too. Lithium-ion batteries have safety issues which have been highlighted by incidents on Dreamliner and electric vehicle fires, but Li-S does not react aggressively when damaged, providing continuous reliable function.

OXIS Energy said the continuing development of the Li-S battery will enable greater endurance at higher speeds for transit to survey sites which are often in remote locations, resulting in fewer launches and recoveries, allowing more sensing equipment to be installed. It will also provide research institutions or end users the ability to collect more valuable data.

By Anne-Marie Causer