Solid-state battery developer Sakuu expects to commercialise its first-generation lithium-metal pouch cell within three months following promising results from tests in February.
The first to-market cells will be for two-wheeled electric scooter, residential energy storage, and “certain consumer products” applications.
The US company says its Sakuu-LM lithium metal cell reached 800Wh/L and 300Wh/kg during tests, and demonstrated energy retention at 97% after 200 cycles— although testing is ongoing regarding its final cycling capabilities.
The battery is expected to record 80% retention at 800 cycles once cycling has completed, although the company was unable to confirm to BEST when testing would ratify that claim.
The Sakuu-LM battery is expected to be ready for commercialisation by 2H22.
The company plans to ship samples of its 3-D printed Sakuu-SSB cells to automotive and industrial application companies by Q1 2023.
That fully 3D printable solid-state battery could boast more than 1200 Wh/l, claim the firm.
Dave Pederson, vice president of business development at Sakuu, said: “It’s important to note that beyond two and four-wheeled use, Sakuu is actively engaged with clients across broad spectrums of use (for both the non-printed and printed batteries).
“Essentially, any electrification application, industrial or consumer, that has an engine or requires power in any size or format, is an ideal client for Sakuu’s battery lines.”
The firm’s first-generation batteries comprise of 30 sub-cells and will include a proprietary printed ceramic separator— although the cells being commercialised this year are not 3D printed.
Pilot battery plant
Sakku’s US solid-state lithium-ion battery pilot line is due to open in April, with its learning centre producing its first cell last December.
The US firm’s pilot line will be able to produce up to 2.5MWh of solid-state batteries per year and serve as a customer learning centre for its 3D manufacturing platform.
Sakuú announces pilot facility as it scales up solid-state lithium-ion battery ambition
