Amprius Technologies, a developer of next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, unveiled its newest ultra-high-power-high-energy lithium-ion battery. Leveraging the company’s advanced material system capability, the cell achieves a discharge rate of 10C while delivering 400 Wh/kg energy density, a major advancement for electric aviation encompassing both crewed and uncrewed aerial systems—a market projected to be collectively more than US$49 billion by 2025.

The cell’s power output brings benefits to the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industries, providing propulsion power and energy to meet the demands during takeoff, cruise, and landing. Moreover, it extends flight range by as much as 50% and increases payload capacity.

The new cell’s groundbreaking capabilities extend to high-performance EVs, potentially enabling them to achieve 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) acceleration below 1.5-seconds, redefining performance standards in the EV industry, projected to reach $67B by 2025.

Our new cell delivers impressive specific power and energy density performance, approximately 200% higher than traditional graphite cells, while achieving a 10C discharge rate, significantly expanding application possibilities and driving cost-effectiveness.

—Dr. Kang Sun, CEO of Amprius

With power density of 3500 W/kg in standard discharge conditions and a maximum power exceeding 4400 W/kg at lower depths-of-discharge, the cell’s usable discharge capability is extended. It supports high current pulses at low states of charge without going below the lower cut-off voltage, namely 3000 W/kg at 30% depths-of-discharge. The combination of high energy density and high-power density reduces battery weight and volume, leading to extended range, reduced charging frequency, and lower operating costs.

In addition, the new ultra-high-power cell boasts an ultra-fast charging (UFC) capability, reaching 80 percent charge in approximately six minutes or less, transforming mission-critical operations with swift turnaround times.

Amprius expects to have samples of this cell available for customers by the end of 2023 with the commercialization of the new cells slated for early 2024.