USC Research Team Advances Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology with NantG Power Partnership

Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor Golareh Jalilvand and her research team at the University of Southern California (USC) are pioneering 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, Jalilvand’s team is focused on developing lithium-sulfur batteries with superior energy densities.

The project, now in its second phase, aims to transition promising results from lab-scale coin cells to practical pouch cells, which offer the highest energy density potential. Jalilvand emphasizes the importance of testing with practical battery forms to accurately assess commercial viability. Despite lithium-sulfur batteries’ lower power density compared to lithium-ion batteries, they hold promise for applications such as heavy-duty vehicles and grid-level energy storage, thanks to their longer discharge times.

During the first phase of research, Jalilvand’s team achieved 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 competitive contenders for commercialization. The team is now focused on optimizing cathode and electrolyte chemistries for pouch cells, aiming to achieve long cycle life and durability, key factors for commercial success.

Jalilvand acknowledges the collaborative efforts between USC and NantG Power, as well as the dedication of her research team, in driving the project forward. With promising results thus far, Jalilvand anticipates that their lithium-sulfur battery technology may soon be ready for commercialization, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of energy storage solutions.