LiNova Energy has launched a new battery cell technology for data centre backup power applications based on a proprietary metal-free polymer cathode that the company says eliminates thermal runaway risk at cell level.
The California-based company said its new PolyPower battery platform has been developed to address growing demand for safe, high-power backup energy storage as global data centre electricity consumption continues to rise. The technology is initially available in a pouch-cell format, with a cylindrical version scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2026. The cells are expected to enter battery backup unit (BBU) testing with hyperscale data centre operators later this year.
According to LiNova, the battery uses a metal-free polymer cathode manufactured from widely available chemical precursors rather than conventional cathode materials containing nickel, cobalt or other critical minerals. The company said the chemistry is intended to improve supply chain resilience while reducing material costs and safety risks.
Cathode releases CO2 not oxygen, LiNova claims
LiNova claims the polymer cathode releases carbon dioxide rather than oxygen under abusive conditions, preventing the thermal runaway mechanisms associated with conventional lithium-ion cathodes. The company also said the technology can be manufactured using existing battery production infrastructure.
“The battery cathode is the most expensive and dangerous component in the stack, and has historically been the least reinvented,” said Mike Nagus, chief executive officer of LiNova Energy.
“With its superior performance and zero fire risk, PolyPower represents a fundamental breakthrough in battery technology for mission-critical applications. Our polymer cathode platform provides what data center operators need most: high power, uncompromising safety, and a clear path to lower-cost energy storage that can scale with AI and cloud demand.”
The company said PolyPower was developed in collaboration with a hyperscale data centre operator to meet the requirements of next-generation backup battery systems.
LiNova reported that independent testing carried out by the University of California San Diego demonstrated high-rate performance and capacity retention above hyperscaler benchmarks. The company also cited internal testing covering cycle life, rate capability and safety performance, including nail penetration and UL9540A simulation tests, which it said showed no thermal runaway behaviour.
“LiNova’s cells are truly unique in the market, and we’ve tested dozens of different battery chemistries over the past decade,” said Mike Ferry, director of energy storage and systems at the University of California San Diego.
“Our testing results successfully demonstrate LiNova’s ability to instantly deliver high power and stable performance under stressful conditions without the degradation mechanisms seen in other battery cells.”
LiNova said it is currently working with hyperscale data centre operators evaluating alternative battery technologies for backup power applications.
Photo: PolyPower is powered by LiNova’s polymer cathode, a proprietary, metal-free active material synthesized from mass-produced precursors that can be sourced domestically nearly anywhere. LiNova’s cathodes eliminate major business and safety risks associated with conventional metal cathodes, which are subject to geopolitical risk and tariff volatility, and drive thermal runaway by releasing oxygen when they degrade under heat.
Credit: CNW Group/LiNova Energy Inc.
