LG Chem has successfully tested a drone powered by its lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, the company said on Thursday.
The drone, called EAV-3, was co-developed with Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). It is powered by a Li-S battery and flied on the stratosphere.
Solar panels on the wings charge the battery on day and at night the drone uses the battery for power.
The test was conducted for 13 hours from the morning to night on August 30 at Goheung space station.
It is the first time that Li-S battery has been tested on drones in South Korea, LG Chem said.
The test proved the battery’s stable charge and discharge capabilities on the stratosphere where temperatures are below 70 degrees Celsius and the atmosphere pressure on 25th of what it is on the ground, the battery company said.
Li-S batteries are being touted as the next-generation batteries that can replace lithium-ion ones. They use lighter materials __ sulfur carbon for the anode materials and lithium metal for the cathode materials.
Energy density per weight is 1.5 times higher than lithium-ion batteries.
LG Chem said it plans to launch commercial versions of the batteries that can support drones being in the air for days. Commercial production is expected to begin in 2025, the company added.
