Bye Aerospace and Oxis Energy collaborate to commercialise lightweight lithium-sulfur batteries for aviation
Oxis Energy is collaborating with Bye Aerospace to produce a proof-of-concept Li-S (lithium-sulfur) advanced battery cell to be considered for the high voltage battery pack system for Bye’s future electric…
Oxis Energy is collaborating with Bye Aerospace to produce a proof-of-concept Li-S (lithium-sulfur) advanced battery cell to be considered for the high voltage battery pack system for Bye’s future electric aircraft.
Oxis Energy is collaborating with Bye Aerospace to produce a proof-of-concept Li-S (lithium-sulfur) advanced battery cell for the high-voltage battery pack system for Bye’s future electric aircraft.
Bye Aerospace is developing FAR 23-certified general aviation aircraft, starting with the eFlyer 2 for flight training. The eFlyer family of aircraft, including the 2-seat eFlyer 2 and the 4-seat eFlyer 4, aims to deliver the first FAA-certified, all-electric aeroplanes to serve the flight training and general aviation markets.
George Bye, CEO of Bye Aerospace, said “New Li-S battery cells from Oxis have the potential to greatly enhance the quality, cost and performance of eFlyer 4 and our other future aircraft projects. Bye Aerospace is working with Oxis on the Li-S battery cell characteristics to significantly improve our eFlyer 4 and future air taxi aircraft designs’ performance. Oxis has the potential to provide a Li-S battery cell that is truly a game-changer.”
He added: “Our collaboration with Oxis is separate from the current eFlyer 2 agreements and intentions we have with confirmed and our future supply chain partners.”
50% lighter
Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO Oxis Energy, said: “Aviation is one of Oxis’ target markets, and in the first instance, regional rapid air taxi transportation. A key measure of Oxis’ suitability is to be able to consistently produce cells in excess of 400 Wh/kg, which are already undergoing evaluation.
“Oxis expects to achieve 500 Wh/kg by early 2020. Our Li-S cells and battery systems are ideally suited for aviation. They are over 50% lighter than the current Li-ion cell and battery systems, with the winning formula of a high energy cell at the power required. The use of the same cell format across batteries will also help our customers to minimise cost and improve serviceability.”
In ground tests in Europe, Oxis says its Li-S has demonstrated a significant improvement in simulated flight duration compared with Lithium NMC; it will now undertake a further series of tests.
Over the next 18 months, the aim is to move towards the production of commercial cells and battery systems in order to meet the volume roll-out criteria set by Bye Aerospace.
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