In 2016, Blue Current imagined the possibility of combining the mechanical elasticity and adhesive capabilities of polymers with the ionic conductivity of glass ceramics to maximize safety, temperature, performance, and scalability. In 2018 the company used this approach to create a fully dry solid- state battery with a high silicon content anode to increase energy density. The company refers to this combination of properties together as a “silicon elastic composite” battery. The materials and processes were co-designed from the outset to be produced with high volume manufacturing equipment. The company is building its first Megawatt-scale pilot factory in California that will produce sample batteries for industry partner and customer validation.

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Most advanced battery technologies suffer from at least one major compromise relating to safety, pressure, temperature and manufacturing scalability. We see the potential for a new silicon elastic composite battery that’s highly resistant to fire, provides high energy density, remarkable cycle life and room temperature operation.

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SILICON ELASTIC COMPOSITE APPROACH

SAFE

100% dry multi-layer cells passed nail, crush and ARC testing by an independent test lab

HIGH PERFORMANCE

Cycling over 1000 times at room temperature with over 80% capacity retention

LOW
PRESSURE

Operate at pressures below 1 MPa enabling improved system level energy density

READY TO
SCALE

Materials and processes are co-designed to work with high volume manufacturing equipment

FAQS

Q: What does “silicon elastic composite” mean? -What is Blue Current’s technology approach to solid-state batteries?

A: In 2016, Blue Current imagined the possibility of combining the mechanical elasticity and adhesive capabilities of polymers with the ionic conductivity of glass ceramics to maximize safety, temperature, performance, and scalability. In 2018 the company used this approach to create a fully dry solid- state battery with a high silicon content anode to increase energy density. The company refers to this combination of properties together as a “silicon elastic composite” battery.

Q: What are the main benefits for Blue Current’s silicon elastic composite battery solution?

A: The benefits include resistance to fire, low cell pressure for system level energy density, long cycle life, room temperature operation and manufacture with high volume production systems.

Q: What is Blue Current’s point of view on battery safety?

A: Safety should be addressed first at the cell level versus the system level where it adds much more cost and complexity. This is the first area we focused on in 2015. In 2019 Blue Current ran its completely dry multilayer cells through 3rd party nail, crush, over charge and accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) testing to study the behavior of its materials. During long periods of ARC testing the cells released energy slowly but they didn’t eject electrolyte materials or go into thermal runaway.

Q: Why does Blue Current say that it focuses on science and data before scaling?

A: We believe that chemistry is the hardest part of battery development. Scaling is also really hard. But if we get the chemistry right first, we’ll have a much better chance of scaling successfully, particularly since we’re using existing high volume manufacturing systems. Blue Current has benefited from patient investors and focused on a single-minded and capital-efficient approach to drive R&D to completion before scaling.

Q: Does Blue Current create its own active materials?

A: Blue Current sources anode and cathode active materials from the World’s top material providers. It then builds its own anolyte and catholyte including solid electrolyte.

Q: Does Blue Current have any plans for Lithium Metal?

A: Not at this time. The company believes its approach is lower risk and will deliver more quickly. Early in the company’s development we ran a series of calculations and looked at the practical constraints of lithium metal and realized that we could build a silicon rich battery with polymers and ceramics and a thin separator that provides close to the theoretical maximum energy density of lithium metal but without any of the downsides with safety, life cycle, quality, manufacturing scalability and cost.

Q: Is Blue Current making performance data available?

A: Yes, the company’s internal and 3rd party validated performance data is available under NDA.

Q: Why is Blue Current moving to pilot phase production?

A: The company is now confident in the performance of its technology and sees additional gains that will come through scale. In addition, partners and customers are requesting samples to test.

Q: Is Blue Current a full battery company or a provider of materials to others? What’s the business model?

A: Blue Current intends to build a full solid-state battery cell and deliver it to market. There’s a high degree of optimization from the battery developed and manufactured as an integrated system.

Q: What facilities and resources does Blue Current have to execute on its scaling plans?

A: Blue Current has a state of the art and production-ready facility built specifically for solid-state battery R&D and Manufacturing. This includes large utility power interconnect, wet lab, two dry rooms covering 4000 square feet, 5000 feet of battery cycling lab space and high bay logistics area.

Q: What intellectual property does Blue Current have around solid-state batteries?

A: The company has developed a broad foundational base of intellectual property with dozens of patents issued and pending and trade secrets covering new materials and material integration.

“The proposed work is scientifically meritorious and revolutionary.”
– US Department of Energy

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INDUSTRY MAP

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SILICON ELASTIC COMPOSITE APPROACH

SAFE

HIGH PERFORMANCE

LOWPRESSURE

READY TOSCALE

FAQS

LOW
PRESSURE

READY TO
SCALE