SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution, one of the world’s leading electric-vehicle battery makers, is pushing into the aerospace sector through a new partnership with an American startup specializing in next-generation energy storage.
The South Korean company said Wednesday that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with South 8 Technologies, a San Diego-based firm known for developing liquefied gas electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. The technology, which maintains performance in temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius, was named one of Time magazine’s top 200 inventions of 2024.
The partnership will focus on developing advanced battery cells capable of operating in the extreme conditions of aerospace applications, LG Energy Solution said.
The effort aligns with initiatives by NASA and KULR Technology Group to design low-temperature battery systems for future space missions. KULR, supported by the Texas Space Commission, is working on similar lithium-ion solutions for next-generation exploration programs.
LG Energy Solution and South 8 plan to jointly design and produce prototype cells using specialized materials and configurations optimized for use in aerospace environments.
The two companies first connected through LG’s Startup Challenge Program in 2019 and signed a joint development agreement in 2024. The latest deal expands their collaboration as LG seeks to diversify beyond its core automotive and energy storage markets.
“The liquefied gas electrolyte technology is expected to fundamentally resolve battery performance issues in extreme cold,” said Jay Kim, LG Energy Solution’s chief technology officer. “We aim to create new customer value across multiple industries, including aerospace exploration.”
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
