Ampcera’s Graphite-Free Solid-State Battery Technology Reaches a 5,000-Cycle Milestone Ahead of China’s Export Restriction on Graphite

TUCSON, Ariz., October 26, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Ampcera, a developer of solid electrolyte materials and manufacturing technologies for solid-state batteries, announces that its graphite-free solid-state battery technology has reached a 5,000-cycle milestone with a capacity retention above the industry standard of 80%. The company’s solid-state battery technology comprises of an IP-protected silicon-based anode tailored for fast charging and a high-capacity NMC-based cathode for high energy density. Ampcera’s technology is designed to address the key performance and safety limitations of conventional lithium-ion batteries. 

Today's announcement comes on the heels of China's recent announcement that it will impose export restrictions on graphite, the standard anode material in EV batteries. CNN Business reports that China will require purchasing permits for graphite starting in December 2023. China dominates the graphite market, producing an estimated 65% of global graphite. This is a major concern for the lithium-ion battery industry, as it could lead to supply shortages and price increases.

“Ampcera’s cost-effective graphite-free approach offers a strategic market advantage for next-generation batteries,” said Dr. Emery Brown, Operations Manager of Ampcera Inc. “As a leading supplier of solid-state electrolyte materials, we monitor the global battery materials market and look for ways to strengthen and secure the U.S. supply chain to enable the commercialization of solid-state batteries.”

Ampcera’s solid-state battery technology has accomplished a significant milestone, achieving the 5,000-cycle mark at a charge/discharge rate of 1C. This achievement demonstrates the potential of the technology to enable fast charging in electric vehicles. The technology is expected to achieve its projected fast-charging energy density target of >320 Wh/kg at 4C (i.e., 80% charge in 15 minutes) and >400 Wh/kg at C/3 later next year.

Earlier this year, Ampcera was awarded a prestigious $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) as part of the EVs4ALL program to leverage its solid electrolyte and silicon anode technology to develop all-climate, fast-charging solid-state batteries with several industrial partners, including one of the major U.S. automakers.

Last year, Ampcera received a Series A investment from Hanwha Solutions to scale the manufacturing of its solid electrolyte materials in the U.S. in response to rapidly growing customer demand. Ampcera is scaling towards mass production levels in the coming years to bring the average material cost down, making solid-state batteries cost-competitive with conventional lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

About Ampcera Inc.

Ampcera is a U.S.-based innovator and global leader in the development and commercialization of solid-state electrolyte materials and scalable manufacturing processes for next-generation lithium batteries. With more than 25 U.S. and international patents and patent applications covering the company's core technologies, Ampcera is poised to accelerate the commercialization of solid-state batteries. https://ampcera.com/

Source: Ampcera Inc.