Amprius Technologies, which is developing lithium-ion batteries with its silicon anode Platform, has launched its 450 Wh/kg and 950 Wh/L SiCore lithium-ion battery for aviation and electric mobility platforms.

The company expects to move to mass production in the near term through its global manufacturing partners.

The compact, lightweight SiCore cell delivers up to 80% more energy than conventional lithium-ion cells using graphite anodes, according to Amprius. This translates to extended flight time, greater range and improved system-level performance, as well as lower system cost.

SiCore meets the demands of High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), Medium-Altitude Platform Stations (MAPS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), where energy density, weight and endurance have a direct impact on mission success. Operators can fly longer missions, minimizing the need for additional batteries, fuel, or equipment.

The cell is being evaluated and Amprius plans to move into qualification with leading aviation and defense customers to prepare for commercial deployment. The company expects to receive UN38.3 certification, which is required for the safe air transport of lithium-ion batteries, during the current quarter. This will allow Amprius to begin volume shipments shortly afterward and support broader commercial deployment worldwide. The company says it has built a global contract manufacturing network with gigawatt-hour-scale production capacity to meet demand.

The commercial launch of the 450 Wh/kg SiCore cell follows the broader introduction of Amprius’ SiCore platform in January 2024. The company recently announced it has shipped its new 6.3 Ah SiCore cell to an unnamed customer in the light electric vehicle segment.

“We demonstrated what’s possible at 450 Wh/kg with our SiMaxx platform years ago,” said Dr. Kang Sun, CEO of Amprius Technologies. “What makes this SiCore cell different is that it brings that level of extreme performance into a cell chemistry and format that are ready to scale with the existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes and equipment in the industry. It’s production-ready, commercially available, and already being qualified by customers today.”

Source: Amprius Technologies