US-based battery developer Sionic Energy has unveiled a new battery cell based on a pure silicon anode, using SCC55 material from Group14 Technologies. By completely eliminating graphite, the energy density is said to be increased by up to 42 percent.
20-ampere-hour cell planned for 2025
The new battery cells have been tested in various formats. Smaller cells with capacities ranging from four to ten ampere-hours showed an energy density of 842 watt-hours per liter and a specific energy of 330 watt-hours per kilogram. According to the company, these prototypes achieved up to 1,200 full charge cycles. Sionic is currently testing a larger version with a capacity of 20 ampere-hours, expected to achieve an energy density of 370 watt-hours per kilogram and 1,000 watt-hours per liter. Commercialization of these larger cell formats is planned for 2025.
Use in transportation and aviation sectors
The battery technology is designed to support all common designs, including cylindrical and prismatic as well as pouch cells. The companyʼs platform licensing model is designed to accelerate and expand adoption in key commercial markets. Sionicʼs goal is to establish the technology in the transportation, consumer electronics and aviation sectors.
