Molyon, a College of Cambridge spinout specialising in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, has raised €4.3 million in its first funding spherical.
The funding was co-led by IQ Capital and Plural and will probably be directed in the direction of scaling operations at Molyon’s Cambridge pilot facility. It will contain increasing Molyon’s group, bringing on extra battery engineers, materials scientists, and operations employees.
Based in 2024, Molyon has developed a high-energy-density Li-S battery that utilises earth-abundant supplies, addressing the necessity for sustainable alternate options to lithium-ion (Li-ion) expertise. In keeping with Moylon, Li-ion batteries, which dominate in the present day’s market, undergo from low power density, reliance on essential supplies resembling nickel, manganese and cobalt that face provide chain points. In distinction, Li-S batteries promise increased efficiency and extra secure provide chains. They use available parts, together with sulfur to supply elevated vary and longevity.
The problem, till now, has been the instability of sulfur in batteries, which tends to degrade, resulting in failure after a restricted variety of cycles. Molyon’s cathode expertise, based mostly on metallic molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), stabilises sulfur, permitting for dependable efficiency over tons of of cycles.
Dr Ismail Sami, co-founder and CEO of Molyon, mentioned: “The promise of lithium-sulfur batteries has been envisaged for many years however till now it has not been potential to grasp this potential due to the inherent chemistry challenges of working with sulfur. By utilising MoS2 we now have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in battery expertise innovation and are on observe to deliver this new battery chemistry to the market, creating batteries that may finish vary nervousness. We’ve got an unrivalled founding group, which between us has years of economic and analysis expertise, together with insightful advisers and world-leading buyers. Now we now have the appropriate backing to go ahead and disrupt the business for the higher.”
The expertise is the results of 15 years of analysis performed by Molyon’s founding group within the Chhowalla Group on the College of Cambridge. Co-founders Dr Ismail Sami (CEO) and Dr Zhuangnan Li (CTO) had been each a part of the analysis efforts.
The latest funding will allow Molyon to push ahead with its plans to commercialise Li-S expertise, with preliminary purposes specializing in drones and robotics. These sectors stand to profit considerably from the lighter weight and longer vary of Molyon’s batteries. The corporate goals to finally enter the electrical car market, the place the potential to double driving vary presents a considerable benefit.
Carina Namih, Accomplice at Plural, mentioned: “Molyon’s founders have found a breakthrough expertise with the potential to remodel battery energy’s suitability to be used in lots of areas. It should enhance vary and efficiency for purposes resembling drones and robots, in addition to for EVs, electrical mobility and battery storage. This wonderful and centered group has the IP, the deep technical information, the drive and business experience to deliver this novel expertise to market and construct a brand new battery firm that may problem the legacy suppliers.”
Max Bautin, Normal Accomplice at IQ Capital, mentioned: “Molyon have made a groundbreaking discovery in supplies science to deliver a step-change in battery power density and unlock an enormous market. We’ve been so impressed with the fervour and expertise of the Molyon group, in addition to the maturity degree at which they’ve already demonstrated the potential of their expertise. We’re delighted to be supporting Molyon at this thrilling level of their enterprise as they scale to their first pilot facility and past.”
