Press Clips

Can new chemistry make EVs that charge in 5 min or less?

C&EN | June 12, 2025

The thing holding back EV adoption right now--besides the relatively high sticker price--is how long it takes to charge the battery. Making a battery that charges faster is not simple; it requires understanding the shortcomings of each component down to the molecular level. Nor is it easy to scale up a new battery's manufacturing to millions of units. Battery start-ups and larger labs scrutinize materials in every part of electric vehicle systems, especially anodes. Full Story

ExPost Lithium Battery Restoration Finding Public, Private Support

San Diego Business Journal | November 6, 2024

Researchers at UC San Diego want a better way to recycle lithium batteries. For several years, a team of scientists have studied how to reduce the economic and environmental cost of lithium battery recycling, which mainly involves extracting a battery's expensive metals. That research led to the formation of ExPost Technology Inc., which was spun out of UCSD in 2022. ExPost utilizes a process of targeted treatment on the degraded parts of a battery to restore them to their pristine state and replenish a battery's supply of lithium. Full Story

Advancing Safer Battery Solutions with South 8 Technologies

Azo Materials | November 5, 2024

In this interview, the CEO of South 8 Technologies discusses how the company's innovative LiGas® technology is advancing safer lithium-ion battery solutions and addressing challenges across defense, EV, and industrial applications. South 8 was co-founded by UC San Diego Ph.D. engineering alumni Cyrus Rustomji and Jungwoo Lee. Full Story

A Longer-Lasting Charge

Time | October 30, 2024

Lithium-ion batteries have quickly become the standard for powering vehicles, but they have three problems: fire, cold, and cost. South 8 addresses all three with LiGas, a liquefied gas electrolyte that, when injected into battery cells, provides a more stable and longer-lasting charge than conventional liquids. Full Story

San Diego battery technology startup moves into the fast lane with a partnership with Porsche subsidiary

The San Diego Union Tribune | June 6, 2024

A San Diego tech company that specializes in improving battery performance has just announced a strategic partnership with a division of Porsche, the German automaker that recently zoomed into the electric vehicle market. South 8, co-founded by UC San Diego alumni, specializes in a trademarked liquefied gas electrolyte solution called LiGas that can be used as a component in lithium-ion batteries that go into electric vehicles. Company executives say LiGas helps vehicles charge faster, go farther, avoid overheating and operate in frigid weather. Full Story