Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor Golareh Jalilvand and her team at the University of Southern California (USC) are leading advancements in lithium-sulfur battery technology. With a $1 million research grant from NantG Power, a California-based company specializing in high-performance lithium-ion battery cell technology, they are developing lithium-sulfur batteries with superior energy densities.
Their project is currently in its second phase, focusing on transitioning promising results from lab-scale coin cells to practical pouch cells which offer the highest energy density potential. It is crucial to test with practical battery forms to accurately determine commercial viability. Despite lithium-sulfur batteries having lower power density than lithium-ion batteries, they show promise for applications like heavy-duty vehicles and grid-level energy storage due to their longer discharge times.
In the first phase of research, Jalilvand’s team made significant improvements in battery capacity and durability, doubling the achieved capacity and increasing sulfur loading fourfold. These advancements have positioned their lithium-sulfur pouch cells as strong candidates for commercialization. The team is now concentrating on optimizing cathode and electrolyte chemistries for pouch cells, aiming for long cycle life and durability, which are critical factors for commercial success.
Jalilvand recognizes the collaborative efforts between USC and NantG Power, as well as the dedication of her research team, in advancing the project. With promising results so far, she expects that their lithium-sulfur battery technology may soon be ready for commercialization, marking a significant milestone in the development of energy storage solutions.
The collaboration between USC and NantG Power has been instrumental in bringing Jalilvand’s team closer to achieving their goal of developing high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries with superior energy densities.
As Jalilvand continues to lead her team through this journey towards commercialization, she remains optimistic about what lies ahead for this cutting edge technology.
Overall, Jalilvand’s work represents an exciting opportunity for USC to continue its role as a leader in sustainable energy research and development.
