Amprius, a developer of lithium-ion batteries using silicon anodes, has raised $30 million in a Series C funding round, which it will use to commercialize its batteries and further develop the next generation.

The company introduced its first generation of batteries in May 2013, and is supplying smartphone and tablet OEMs with its first two product families, based on an 1,850 mAh (580 Wh/L) battery and a 4,060 mAh (600 Wh/L) battery. Subsequent generations will use silicon nanowire anodes. Amprius has demonstrated greater than 650 and 700 Wh/L batteries with its second-generation and third-generation technology platforms.

“Amprius’ advanced technologies address consumer demand for high energy, long life batteries,” said Andrew Yan, Managing Partner of SAIF Partners, an Asian private equity firm that led the financing. “SAIF Partners supports Amprius’ short-term focus on consumer electronics and shares the company’s medium- and long-term interest in electric transportation.”

“Series C funding will hasten the commercialization of our high energy and high capacity batteries and the ongoing development of silicon-based anodes, advanced cathodes, and innovative manufacturing processes,” said Amprius CEO Dr. Kang Sun.

Amprius maintains an R&D lab and corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, California and operates an R&D lab and pilot production line in Nanjing, China.

Source: Amprius via Green Car Congress
Image: Energy.gov