An infusion of $20 million from the ARPA-E program called Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies with Untapped Potential (SCALEUP) will be allocated to Ion Storage Systems, a US-based firm specializing in solid-state battery technology.
Out of a $63.5 million budget earmarked for 2024, Ion is one of four entities chosen to benefit from SCALEUP funding. This initiative aims to facilitate the transition of ARPA-E-backed innovations from preliminary prototypes to commercially viable and scalable products. Through support from SCALEUP and partnerships with corporate entities, Ion is positioned to enhance its production facilities within the United States.
This financial injection is part of a strategic three-year collaboration involving a $40 million investment with French materials provider Saint-Gobain and US-based semiconductor company KLA. The primary objective of this collaboration is to expedite the market entry of Ion’s anodeless solid-state battery. Combined with private investments of $20 million, the ARPA-E contribution will double the program’s financial size to $40 million.
According to the statement by Evelyn Wang, Director of ARPA-E, “In the quest to promote wider adoption of electric vehicles, enhancing driving range, cost reduction, and safety improvement are key factors. Through previous ARPA-E support, Ion Storage Systems has been diligently working towards these objectives. Now, under the SCALEUP initiative, the company is set to ramp up domestic production of lithium-metal batteries with solid-state, high-power-density capabilities, driven by its ceramic electrolyte technology.”
Source: Ion Storage Systems
