London — A UK battery maker backed by the biggest producer of fuel from coal is raising new funds to develop novel technology for airplanes, drones and spaceships. Oxis Energy’s lithium-sulphur batteries eliminate some of the safety hazards that have kept the batteries out of commercial use, said CEO Huw Hampson-Jones. The UK-based company is seeking new investors to join SA’s Sasol and other high-net-worth individuals who already have stakes. While most of today’s batteries store energy inside packs stuffed with lithium, they can react badly to shocks. Oxis says it manufactures units that can withstand bullets and nails, and overcome the problems that made earlier lithium-sulphur batteries unsafe for widespread use. The ruggedness of the technology could become an important safety advantage for industries with razor-thin margins of error, such as aviation and space exploration. And its ability to store energy exceeds the capabilities of current lithium-ion batteries, the company sa...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.