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 can be directed in direction of scaling operations at Molyon’s Cambridge pilot facility. This can contain increasing Molyon’s crew, 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 options to lithium-ion (Li-ion) expertise. In accordance with Moylon, Li-ion batteries, which dominate at the moment’s market, endure from low vitality density, reliance on vital supplies akin to nickel, manganese and cobalt that face provide chain points. In distinction, Li-S batteries promise greater efficiency and extra secure provide chains. They use available components, 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, primarily based on metallic molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), stabilises sulfur, permitting for dependable efficiency over lots 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 attainable to grasp this potential due to the inherent chemistry challenges of working with sulfur. By utilising MoS2 we’ve got achieved a groundbreaking milestone in battery expertise innovation and are on monitor to deliver this new battery chemistry to the market, creating batteries that can finish vary anxiousness. Now we have an unrivalled founding crew, which between us has years of business and analysis expertise, together with insightful advisers and world-leading traders. Now we’ve got the suitable backing to go ahead and disrupt the trade for the higher.”
The expertise is the results of 15 years of analysis performed by Molyon’s founding crew within the Chhowalla Group on the College of Cambridge. Co-founders Dr Ismail Sami (CEO) and Dr Zhuangnan Li (CTO) have been each a part of the analysis efforts.
The current 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 in the end 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 rework battery energy’s suitability to be used in lots of areas. It should enhance vary and efficiency for purposes akin to drones and robots, in addition to for EVs, electrical mobility and battery storage. This glorious and targeted crew has the IP, the deep technical information, the drive and industrial experience to deliver this novel expertise to market and construct a brand new battery firm that may problem the legacy suppliers.”
Max Bautin, Basic Accomplice at IQ Capital, mentioned: “Molyon have made a groundbreaking discovery in supplies science to deliver a step-change in battery vitality density and unlock an enormous market. We’ve been so impressed with the fervour and expertise of the Molyon crew, in addition to the maturity stage 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.”
