Boston-based lithium metal battery technology company Pure Lithium has acquired the assets of private US vanadium cathode materials company Dimien. 

The purchase aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of Pure Lithium’s lithium metal vanadium (LVO) battery. Dr. Brian Schultz, Dimien founder and CEO, will become Pure Lithium’s VP of Business Development and Technology, and other Dimien team members will also join the company.

Dimien developed zeta vanadium oxide (ZVO), a low-cost, high-energy-density, vanadium-based cathode material that, unlike NMC and NCA cathodes, has a low risk of causing fires. It is produced in North America and does not use such problematic minerals as nickel, cobalt and graphite.

Pure Lithium founder and CEO Emilie Bodoin said, “It is well known that vanadium is not technically viable for use in lithium-ion batteries, which utilize a graphite anode and a lithiated transition metal oxide cathode. Ironically, however, the same reasons that vanadium is not viable for lithium-ion technology make it the perfect pairing for Pure Lithium’s next-generation lithium metal batteries, presenting a commercial opportunity for Pure Lithium.”

Source: Pure Lithium