DEAR0001917

3100 - 1501
ION Storage Systems, Inc
DE-FOA-0003100 Scaleup 2023
SaferBAT: Solid-State Approach for Future Energy-Dense Renewable Batteries and Advanced-Manufacturing Technologies

ION Storage Systems (ION) is commercializing next generation solid-state lithium-metal (LiMetal) battery technology capable of near-term deployment into high value markets with opportunity for universal battery market deployment in a low-cost, resource-plentiful, and high energy density design.

ION has adapted a patented 3D ceramic solid-state electrolyte (SSE) architecture design into a highly manufacturable and adaptable platform that enables an accelerated market release in a first-market product or consumer electronics and defense applications before later entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market with maturation of the same fundamental cell design.

Sustainability-focused cell design and manufacturing are an opportunity for the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the order of tens of thousands of metric tons of CO2 per GWh of ceramic part manufacturing.

The proposed project will allow ION to access the EV market earlier through immediate increases in cell performance and manufacturing readiness level, as well as demonstrate the technology’s unique advantages and give ION more control to maintain domestic manufacturing in collaboration with commercialization partners.

ION’s Scaleup project will deliver cells capable of industry-redefining performance alongside a complete manufacturing plan for displacing Li-ion cells, and the establishment of a domestic ceramic SSE manufacturing ecosystem for a wide range of technical ceramic markets (ION and beyond).

New award

ION Storage Systems

DE-FOA-0003100 SCALEUP 2023 THE SEEDING CRITICAL ADVANCES FOR LEADING ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES WITH UNTAPPED POTENTIAL 2023 (SCALEUP 2023) FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT PROVIDES A VITAL MECHANISM FOR THE SUPPORT OF INNOVATIVE ENERGY R&D THAT COMPLEMENTS ARPA-E’S PRIMARY R&D FOCUS ON EARLY-STAGE TRANSFORMATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES THAT STILL REQUIRE PROOF-OF-CONCEPT. AN ENDURING CHALLENGE TO ARPA-E’S MISSION IS THAT EVEN TECHNOLOGIES THAT ACHIEVE SUBSTANTIAL TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT UNDER ARPA-E SUPPORT FACE SIGNIFICANT REMAINING TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL RISKS UPON COMPLETION OF AN AWARD'S FUNDING PERIOD, AND THUS ARE AT RISK OF BEING STRANDED IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT PATH ONCE ARPA-E FUNDING ENDS. EXPERIENCE ACROSS ARPA-E’S DIVERSE ENERGY PORTFOLIOS, AND INPUT FROM A WIDE RANGE OF INVESTORS AND INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS, INDICATE THAT PRE-COMMERCIAL “SCALING” PROJECTS ARE CRITICAL TO ESTABLISHING THAT PERFORMANCE AND COST PARAMETERS CAN BE MET IN PRACTICE FOR THESE POTENTIALLY TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES. THESE PRE-COMMERCIAL SCALING PROJECTS AIM TO TRANSLATE THE PERFORMANCE ACHIEVED AT BENCH SCALE TO COMMERCIALLY SCALABLE VERSIONS OF THE TECHNOLOGY, INTEGRATE THE TECHNOLOGY WITH BROADER SYSTEMS, PROVIDE EXTENDED PERFORMANCE DATA, AND VALIDATE THE MANUFACTURABILITY AND RELIABILITY OF NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES. SUCCESS IN THESE SCALING PROJECTS SHOULD ENABLE INDUSTRY, INVESTORS, AND PARTNERS TO JUSTIFY THE SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENTS OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES, PERSONNEL, MANUFACTURING FACILITIES, AND MATERIALS NECESSARY TO SUBSEQUENTLY DEPLOY THE TECHNOLOGIES AT COMMERCIAL SCALE. THE SCALEUP 2023 FOA SEEKS TO SCALE THE MOST PROMISING TECHNOLOGIES PREVIOUSLY FUNDED BY ARPA-E.

81.135 - Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy

Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) [DOE]

Beltsville, Maryland United States

City-Wide

SEEDING CRITICAL ADVANCES FOR LEADING ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES WITH UNTAPPED POTENTIAL 2023 (SCALEUP 2023) (DE-FOA-0003100)