Li-S Energy finalises lithium-sulfur cells for high-power systems
Li-S Energy has completed development and testing of two lithium-sulfur Power Cell designs aimed at applications that require high power, including multi-rotor drones, robotics and communications. The company says its new cells deliver up to 50 times the power of its Energy Cell, while retaining an energy density approaching 400 Wh/kg.
- Two Power Cell designs have completed development and testing.
- The 11Ah cell is rated at 7C continuous and 10C peak.
- The cells retain an energy density approaching 400 Wh/kg.
- Target applications include drones, robotics and communications.
Two cells target different operating needs
Li-S Energy said it has completed datasheets for a 10Ah cell and an 11Ah cell, with both designs produced on its automated Phase 3 production line. The datasheets have been shared with partners under non-disclosure agreements.
The 10Ah Power Cell is rated at 2C continuous and 5C peak. It is intended for systems that require longer cycle life, and can deliver 100% of its stored energy at its continuous rate, according to the company.
The 11Ah Power Cell is rated at 7C continuous and 10C peak. Li-S Energy is targeting it at high-power applications where cycle life is not a critical requirement. The company says the cell delivers 96% of its stored energy at its continuous rate.
Power increase addresses a limitation of lithium-sulfur cells
Li-S Energy said traditional lithium-sulfur cells typically discharge continuously at between 0.1C and 0.2C. By comparison, its new 11Ah cell can operate continuously at 7C, with a peak rate of 10C.
The Power Cell range delivers a continuous power density of 1700W/kg and a peak power density of 2400W/kg, while maintaining gravimetric energy density approaching 400 Wh/kg. Li-S Energy said this combination brings its technology into the fast multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle market.
The company said the 11Ah cell can deliver more than 95% of its energy in under nine minutes while maintaining close to 400 Wh/kg by standard measures. Dr Steve Rowlands, Li-S Energy's chief technology officer, described the result as “a world-beating performance for commercial sized lithium sulfur cells” in the company announcement.
New range expands the company's target markets
Li-S Energy developed the Power Cells over the past year to address applications where higher power is essential. The company said the range is intended for multi-rotor drones, soldier-carried systems, robotics and communications.
The new cells complement Li-S Energy's GEN3 cell, which achieved 456 Wh/kg after formation cycling in 2024. That cell was designed for low-power, long-endurance platforms such as fixed-wing drones and marine systems.
Li-S Energy said its Phase 3 production line and Battery Test Centre have enabled it to move research concepts into commercial-sized cells produced consistently and in volume. The company plans to continue improving energy density while maintaining high-power performance, with the aim of extending system range, operating time and payload. It said it will update the market as those development programs progress.
