LG Energy Solution has announced a strategic partnership with South 8 Technologies to co-develop aerospace batteries based on space-rated lithium-ion technology designed for extreme low-temperature performance. Through this collaboration, LG Energy Solution aims to advance next-generation battery technologies capable of operating in the harshest environments, strengthening its position in the rapidly growing aerospace sector.
“The liquefied gas electrolyte technology fundamentally addresses the long-standing issues of battery performance degradation in extreme cold environments,” said Ji Young Kim, CTO of LG Energy Solution. “We anticipate that this technology will unlock unprecedented possibilities to pioneer new products and applications including the space.”
The collaboration between LG Energy Solution and South 8 Technologies forms part of a broader aerospace initiative involving KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) and NASA, focused on developing cold-temperature battery solutions for next-generation deep space missions. KULR, a leading provider of advanced energy storage systems for aerospace and defense, recently received $6.7 million in funding from the Texas Space Commission to support the development of lithium-ion batteries designed for lunar and Martian exploration. The program is being conducted in close partnership with NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC).
LG Energy Solution is determined to play a key role in this joint effort, helping propel the development of next-generation aerospace battery technologies. Specifically, the company will support in the design, testing, and evaluation of lithium-ion battery cells. South 8 Technologies will then manufacture enhanced battery cells using its proprietary and innovative liquefied gas electrolyte and electrolyte filling technology. These cells, operating at temperatures as low as -60 °C, will be integrated into KULR’s One Space battery architecture platform, providing optimal performance for extreme environments encountered during space missions.
South 8 Technologies is a U.S. startup company that has developed the world’s first liquefied gas (LiGas) electrolyte, a patented solution that enhances battery performance by enabling ultra-low temperature operation down to -60 °C, significantly outperforming conventional liquid electrolytes that struggle below -20°C. This technology was recognized as one of TIME magazine’s ‘Best Inventions of 2024.’
Moreover, the liquefied gas electrolyte has the potential to drastically enhance battery safety under physical or electrical abuse conditions. When such shocks occur, the liquid solvent inside the battery will rapidly evaporate, reducing the cell temperature and expelling the evaporated electrolyte. This process effectively renders the cell a non-functional “dummy cell”, significantly reducing risks such as thermal incidents.
LG Energy Solution first connected with South 8 Technologies through its Startup Challenge Program in 2019 and has maintained active collaboration since. In 2024, the companies signed a joint development agreement and began the development of the liquefied gas electrolyte-based batteries. The latest agreement announced recently further cements the cooperative relationship between the two companies.
