Amprius demonstrates new tool for roll-to-roll manufacturing of high-energy batteries with Si nanowire anodes
24 May 2016
Amprius, a manufacturer of high-energy lithium-ion batteries using silicon nanowire anodes (earlier post), has demonstrated a novel tool for high-volume manufacturing. The new tool, a first-of-its-kind system for inline, continuous, and roll-to-roll production of three-dimensional silicon nanowire anodes, will enable Amprius to scale manufacturing and deliver lightweight and long-lasting batteries for unmanned vehicles, wearable technologies, and electric vehicles.
Amprius developed its new tool in partnership with Meyer Burger (Netherlands) B.V., a world leader in high-throughput deposition systems and processes. The tool uses a multi-step, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process to produce Amprius’ silicon nanowire anodes. Amprius will unveil its new manufacturing tool to a select group of industry partners on 29 June 2016, at a Meyer Burger facility in the Netherlands.
Amprius’ manufacturing demonstration is a very big step forward. In recent years, Amprius’ silicon anode technology has enabled batteries with ultra-high energy. This year, Amprius’ new tool is a significant advance towards high-volume and high-quality manufacturing.
—Dr. Steven Chu, former Secretary of Energy, Nobel Laureate and Amprius Board Member
With silicon anodes, Amprius’ batteries achieve significantly higher energies per unit volume (800 – 1,000 Wh/L, depending on cell capacity and form-factor) and energies per unit weight (325 – 400 Wh/kg) than today’s commercially available batteries.
Inline, continuous, and roll-to-roll manufacturing will enable Amprius to transition high-energy batteries from lab to market, and from batch processing to pilot production.
—Dr. Kang Sun, Amprius CEO
Amprius is financed by leading venture capital and private equity investors including Trident Capital, VantagePoint Capital Partners, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, IPV Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, SAIF Partners, Chinergy Capital, and Wuxi IDG.
This could be a major step towards near future (by 2020 or so) 2.5X to 3.5X batteries with good energy capacity, by weigh and by volume.
Early (affordable?) extended range good weather BEVs (up to 500 miles with overnight slow charging) could follow by 2025 or so?
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 May 2016 at 07:47 AM
800 – 1,000 Wh/L, and 325 – 400 Wh/kg, means Next step TESLA 100KWH pack with this techno could weight down to 250KG and at best only use 100L space... Whaooo ! This is serious, even if from Cell level to full battery pack level there may be a significant adder (May be +30% ?), this would still be a Huge progress..
Then one needs to know if that will wear faster or slower than other technos (How many cycles before loosing 20% capacity ?), and if it can sustain 135KW SuperChargers or more tomorrow... And the costs... But for sure a serious thing.
Posted by: Patrick Free | 24 May 2016 at 09:05 AM
Holy crap, this is getting serious. Not only good specs on new batteries, but they're producing high volume manufacturing equipment.
Normally, I take all battery announcements with a HUGE grain of salt, but...
Maybe we're ready for an actual step forward in batteries???
Posted by: DaveD | 24 May 2016 at 10:28 AM
The ones having recently bought a brand new plug-in will eat their socks, LoL I recommand to wait before buying an ev, progress are still in the way. Till then i wait and keep my gas car and others are actually working to build my futur car in 6 to 10 years from now.
Posted by: gorr | 26 May 2016 at 09:53 AM
gor and his Neon shall reign Supreme....FOREVER!!!!
:)
Posted by: DaveD | 27 May 2016 at 02:49 PM