New Enevate silicon-dominant composite anode for high energy density Li-ion batteries for mobile devices; claims roadmap to 1000 Wh/L

9 December 2014

Enevate Corporation has introduced its HD-Energy Technology for Li-ion batteries. The silicon-dominant composite anode, which offers four times the energy density of conventional graphite anodes, enables high energy density rechargeable Li-ion polymer cells. Enevate Corporation, based in Irvine, California, is focused on delivering advanced Li-ion batteries into smartphones, tablets, ultra-thin/hybrid notebook PCs, and wearable devices.

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We have developed very high energy density Li-ion cells for mass production with our new HD-Energy Technology utilizing silicon-dominant anodes. This new and different approach allows us to realize a roadmap to over 1000 Wh/L volumetric energy density which is very exciting to differentiate mobile consumer applications.

Enevate is using a unique technical approach for silicon anodes that is truly different and innovative to deliver high energy density Li-ion batteries. I’m impressed that their technology and process is practical, highly manufacturable, and can be sufficiently inexpensive for high volume consumer electronics.

The self-standing, flexible, and conductive anodes are composed of majority silicon in a complex micromatrix composite that is 100% active and contains no inactive or “dead space” binders and is engineered for high volume manufacturing. The HD-Energy Technology delivers a high capacity monolithic or “single-particle” anode which enables cell designs today up to 700-800 Wh/L core energy density with cycle life similar to graphite cells, the company says.

Competitive approaches using silicon nanowires or nanoparticles are difficult and expensive to manufacture in high volume, Enevate claims. Others using silicon oxide (SiO) as a dilute additive in graphite anodes do not deliver enough performance improvement.

Enevate’s custom cell designs using HD-Energy Technology also have very low AC impedance or internal resistance, typically less than half that of graphite cells. Utilizing available cathodes, separators, and electrolytes in today’s Li-ion ecosystem, Enevate’s Li-ion batteries are designed to meet UN, UL, and CTIA safety certifications. Enevate’s HD-Energy Technology delivers combined attributes ideal for use in sleek mobile devices to deliver more runtime, enable new energy-hungry features, and allow for thinner product designs.

Enevate investors include Mission Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Tsing Capital, Infinite Potential Technologies, Presidio Ventures – a Sumitomo Corporation company, and CEC Capital.