Pivotal Systems Corp Inc, a leading provider of innovative gas flow control (GFC) solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South 8 Technologies, a company whose energy storage solutions have the potential to advance a clean energy future.
This MoU outlines the framework for a joint technology development agreement (JDA) whereby Pivotal and South 8 will determine gas flow control requirements in the industrial-scale preparation of liquified gas electrolyte solutions for use in battery manufacturing.
The stated objective of the pending JDA is for the two companies to collaborate on the design of next-gen gas flow controllers optimised for liquified gas electrolyte research and production.
This is intended to underpin a long-term commercial relationship between Pivotal and South 8.
“To be South 8’s partner for transformation”
Pivotal Systems chairman and CEO John Hoffman said: “The Pivotal team is excited to work closely with South 8 and provide our expertise in precise gas flow control for advanced high-growth industries.
“South 8’s novel chemistry is unlike anything seen before in the industry and demonstrates the broad range of opportunities in gas flow control.
“We believe South 8’s technology has the potential to change the way battery electrolyte solutions are produced by all leading manufacturers, and we intend to be South 8’s partner for that transformation.
“Our technology can meet South 8’s need for industrial-scale preparation of liquified gas electrolyte solutions with precise formulations, and we look forward to collaborating with South 8 to formalise a further agreement.”
Increase in fab productivity
Pivotal Systems provides a gas flow monitoring and control technology platform for the global semiconductor industry.
The company’s proprietary hardware and software utilises advanced machine learning to enable preventative diagnostic capability resulting in an order of magnitude increase in fab productivity and capital efficiency for existing and future technology nodes.
South 8 Technologies has developed a breakthrough new Liquefied Gas Electrolyte chemistry for electrochemical energy storage devices including lithium batteries and electrochemical capacitors.
“Augment expertise in electrolyte chemistry”
South 8 CEO Cyrus Rustomji said: “At South 8, we are developing a novel class of liquefied gas electrolytes for next-generation lithium batteries which will enable superior performance and safety while leveraging conventional materials and manufacturing methods.
“Because our electrolytes use a mixture of several gases in combination, the precision of gas flow during electrolyte manufacturing is critical to the performance of our batteries.
“At South 8, we intend to augment our expertise in electrolyte chemistry through a commercial partnership with Pivotal, whose engineering team have a demonstrated mastery over industrial gas flow control.”