NanoGraf, an advanced battery material company formerly known as SiNode Systems, has achieved a significant milestone by completing its first large-scale production run of the M38 18650 cell for the U.S. military. This achievement marks a major step forward in enhancing battery technology for military applications.
Innovative Technology
Silicon Alloy-Graphene Material Architecture
NanoGraf specializes in Lithium-ion battery anodes and has developed a proprietary silicon alloy-graphene material architecture. This innovative approach addresses the technical challenges associated with silicon anodes by utilizing a combination of silicon-based alloys and a flexible 3D graphene network. This design helps stabilize the active material during charge and discharge cycles.
Cost-Effective Wet Chemistry Process
Unlike other manufacturing processes that rely on expensive and complex vapor deposition systems, NanoGraf employs a cost-effective wet chemistry process. This method has been proven in a multi-ton-scale pilot manufacturing line in Japan and seamlessly integrates with existing electrode mixing and coating equipment.
Production Milestone
High-Yield Throughput
The company has successfully produced approximately 50,000 cells with high yield throughput. These cells will be used primarily for tactical radios and other military applications under the Family of Advanced Standard Batteries (FASTBat) program.
Enhanced Battery Performance
NanoGraf’s advanced silicon anode material allows these batteries to last up to 15% longer than current military batteries and ensures compatibility with a wider range of devices.
Francis Wang, CEO of NanoGraf, expressed his enthusiasm about the production milestone:
“We’ve been working toward this production milestone for several years, and it’s incredibly exciting to see it come to fruition. We’re very proud to reach our goal of producing this many finished cell products, and continue our work with the Department of Defense to ensure soldiers have the power they need to complete their missions.”
Future Plans and Growth
Standard Manufacturing Line Success
The successful production run was conducted on a standard high-volume manufacturing line with a third-party cell manufacturer. NanoGraf’s silicon anode material was effectively used as a drop-in component for traditional manufacturing processes, proving its viability for high-energy cell density.
Connor Hund, Chief Operating Officer of NanoGraf, commented on the company’s progress:
“This production run is an exciting achievement for NanoGraf, validating that our commercial scale manufacturing successfully meets the performance requirements of the cell. We look forward to our continued growth as we aim to expand commercial material production to 50 tons per year in our Chicago facility.”
Expansion and Contracts
In addition to the recent production milestone, NanoGraf has made several significant announcements:
- New Contract with the U.S. Army: In January, the company secured a new contract worth up to $15 million from the U.S. Army to develop cross-compatible batteries for soldiers, bringing NanoGraf’s total U.S. Department of Defense funding to $45 million.
- Expansion of Chicago Facility: In March, the company also announced the expansion of its Chicago facility by nearly 400%, with a new 67,850-square-foot space dedicated to advanced manufacturing and expanded R&D capabilities.
Conclusion
NanoGraf’s advancements in battery technology and its successful large-scale production run represent a significant leap forward in providing the U.S. military with more reliable and longer-lasting batteries. The company’s ongoing efforts to expand production and enhance its technology are set to play a crucial role in the future of military power solutions.
Read the original article on Graphene-Info.