Maryland-based battery developer ION Storage Systems (ION) is on track to significantly accelerate the commercial launch of its groundbreaking solid-state batteries (SSBs) with up to 40 million government and private sector funding.
ION secures funding for its anodeless, compressionless SSBs
According to the press release, ION secured $20 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) SCALEUP program of the Department of Energy in the United States.
For context, the SCALEUP program primarily aims to help ARPA-E-funded technologies transform their prototypes into commercially scalable products.
ION will receive another $20 million in private funds for a total of $40 million.
As part of the $40 million commercialization push, ION has partnered with global ceramics, glass, and material producer Saint-Gobain and semiconductor process and quality control giant KLA to deliver its innovative SSBs to market.
“Accelerating the widespread adoption of electric vehicles requires increasing driving range, reducing costs, and improving safety.
Ion Storage Systems—through an earlier ARPA-E program—focused on working toward these goals. Now, through SCALEUP, the company will accelerate domestic manufacturing of next-generation solid-state, high-power-density lithium-metal batteries based on ION’s proprietary ceramic electrolyte manufacturing technology.
Dr. Evelyn N. Wang, ARPA-E director
ION Storage Systems’ battery innovation
ION Storage Systems’ unique anodeless and compressionless solid-state batteries successfully surpassed 125 cycles with only sub-5% capacity degradation in performance.
It is a significant innovation, considering it is not a typical solid-state battery. It can also pave the way for 1000 cycles or even beyond in future deployments.
ION’s SSBs eliminate conventional anode materials like graphite for a distinctive 3D ceramic structure, making them safer and easier to produce. Such a design also reduces the production cost, making the batteries more affordable for customers.
“ION and our world-class partners have reinvented ceramic membrane manufacturing for high throughput, low cost, and low emissions production of our safe, high energy solid-state battery. We are proud to be working hand-in-hand toward gigawatt-hour production and delivery of a market-leading EV battery solution. ARPA-E’s RANGE program initiated the development of this technology in 2013 and we’re honored to be partnering with them again through SCALEUP to expand the impact of our technology and accelerate electrification of a greener energy economy.”
Dr. Gregory Hitz, ION Co-Founder and CTO
In hindsight, ION initially hit the market with the US military. It is also currently working with the US Department of Defense to test and develop its SSBs before expanding into other segments, such as electric vehicles and long-duration energy storage. ION is also planning to launch its first-ever solid-state battery pilot production line in Maryland.
Presented below is ION’s promotional video for its innovative solid-state batteries:
