Scientists at the Tucson, Arizona-based Sion Power Corporation (SPC) have recently been awarded an $800,000, three-year grant for studying the complex properties of lithium-sulfur batteries. The company is a world leader in the field, with more than 100 national and international patents on the technology pending or having already been awarded. The money for the investigation came from the United States Department of Energy (DOE), which is very interested in the new technology.

According to the SPC, the money will be used to continue the company's work on developing new classes of electrolytes for lithium-sulfur batteries (LSB). The main goal is to produce power-storage devices that are so advanced that they could be used inside electric vehicles. Naturally, the technology already exists to use batteries in electric cars, but, right now, the autonomy of these vehicles leaves a little to be desired. The DOE is working on all fronts to fix that, and it provides a large number of research groups with appropriate funds. Several new types of batteries, including LSBs, are being studied and innovated at the same time, Technology Review reports.

“We consider the receipt of this grant by the DOE a vote of confidence in the future of our advantaged Li-S rechargeable battery technology. There is no known commercial technology that will be able to match the electric vehicle driving performance enabled by Li-S batteries once targeted hurdles of cycle life and safety are overcome. This grant is key in helping to make that a reality,” Dennis Mangino, who is the SPC CEO, explains. He adds that the company's multi-component approach will improve the chemical stability in the batteries, which will lead to improved safety and abuse tolerance.

At this point, most major automobile manufacturers are pursuing lines of electric vehicles, whether they like it or not. For some producers in the United States, this is a condition of their bail-out, while, for others around the world, it is the correct thing to do. The goal is to provide people with clean, environmentally friendly vehicles, while at the same time fitting in the comfort most expect from a car. Doing so is impossible with today's battery technology, but SPC plans to be among the first companies that will be able to say that their batteries are able to provide an extended autonomy and comfort.