Li-S Energy battery for ‘dawn to dusk’ drone

Three Australian companies have been backed to develop a solar powered drone that can fly from ‘dawn to dusk’ without recharging.

Battery developer Li-S Energy, in a partnership with V-TOL Aerospace and HaloCell, have been awarded a $1.35 million grant from the federal government as part of the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) programme.

The grant will enable Li-S Energy to integrate LIS’ next generation batteries with advanced solar cells to enable the long flying aircraft.

Li-S Energy CEO Lee Finniear revealed the grant in an update to investors earlier this month – the company was one of a group of grant recipients announced in a little noticed release from the Assistant Minister for Regional Development & Education, Senator Anthony Chisholm.

Finniear said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Li-S Energy, working with our partners V-TOL Aerospace and HaloCell, to demonstrate how our advanced, lightweight lithium sulfur and lithium metal batteries can extend UAV flight times and mission capability.

“The collaboration is targeting the development of a family of surveillance drones powered by Li-S Energy batteries.”

V-TOL Aerospace Managing Director Mark Xavier said: “Winning this grant is a significant acknowledgement by Government that the work V-TOL, Li-S Energy and HaloCell are conducting is of national importance.

“This exciting opportunity, will enable our sovereign technology collaboration to design, develop and manufacture a family of world leading energy sustainable drones.”

Li-S Energy and V-TOL have been working on the concept for some time.

In May @AuManufacturing reported that LI-S Energy’s GEN3 semi-solid-state lithium sulfur (Li-S) battery cells had successfully passed a series of nail penetration tests with the results exceeding both the civilian and US military performance standards.

Further reading:
Li-S Energy proves safety of lithium sulphur batteries

Picture: Li-S Energy