Molyon Secures $4.6 Million to Commercialize Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology

Molyon, a startup spun out of 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, has secured $4.6 million in funding to kickstart manufacturing at its first pilot facility for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The company claims its Li-S technology offers twice the energy density of traditional lithium-ion batteries, marking a significant advancement in energy storage solutions.

Lithium-sulfur batteries are known for storing more energy compared to lithium-ion alternatives, and they do not rely on scarce minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and graphite. These batteries could bring greater efficiency to technologies like electric vehicles, drones, and airplanes. However, commercialization has been challenging due to sulfur from the battery's cathode dissolving into the electrolyte, which leads to corrosion of the anode and failure after only a few cycles.

Molyon has addressed this issue by developing a cathode technology based on metallic molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a compound of sulfur and molybdenum that provides high energy density and stability over hundreds of cycles. This innovation could potentially revolutionize the lithium-sulfur battery field, making it more viable for widespread use.

The startup was co-founded by Dr. Ismail Sami and Dr. Zhuangnan Li in February 2024, with support from their academic advisor, Professor Manish Chhowalla, and commercial advisor Dr. Sai Shivareddy, co-founder of Nyobolt. Since patenting their discovery, Molyon has demonstrated practical Li-S batteries with energy densities of 500 Wh/kg, approximately twice that of typical lithium-ion batteries.

With the new funding, Molyon plans to expand its team and establish a pilot facility, initially focusing on producing Li-S batteries for drones and robots, which would benefit from the improved range and lighter weight. The company also aims to scale production for electric cars, trucks, and planes in the future.

The funding round was co-led by London-based deep tech investors IQ Capital and Plural, a founder-led venture capital firm that launched a €500 million fund earlier this year. Carina Namih, a partner at Plural, highlighted the UK’s unique position as a leader in lithium-sulfur technology, pointing to the country's expertise and lessons learned from earlier attempts to commercialize the technology.