A curiosity about compressed air cans led UC San Diego alumnus Cyrus Rustomji to a major battery innovation—now at the heart of South 8 Technologies’ groundbreaking Liquefied Gas Electrolyte (LiGas®) platform. The startup, co-founded by Rustomji and fellow alum Jungwoo Lee, replaces conventional battery electrolytes with liquefied gases, enabling record-setting performance from -60°C to +60°C, improved safety, and greater energy density.

Developed with support from UC San Diego’s advanced research infrastructure and federal funding, LiGas® has earned national acclaim, including recognition in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024. Now powering cold-weather defense systems and attracting automotive industry interest, the technology exemplifies how university ecosystems can transform academic insight into commercial impact.

South 8’s success highlights the region’s growing clean tech ecosystem—and the enduring role of curiosity, collaboration, and perseverance in scientific innovation.

Read the full article in UC San Diego Today