American lithium battery company Enovix announced that it has received $ 45 million in financing for the production and commercialization of its "3D silicon lithium ion battery."
Enovix claims to use its patented 3D battery structure to develop a new type of lithium-ion battery that uses a 100% silicon anode, which can significantly improve energy density and safety and maintain a high cycle life.
Enovix has provided samples of silicon anode batteries to leading digital electronic product manufacturers since 2018 and reached a cooperation agreement. The battery's rated energy density exceeds 900wh / L, and the full charge cycle life exceeds 500 times.
"We are still in the process of technological R & D and upgrades, and we expect that the energy density of our 100% silicon anode battery will reach 1250wh / L and the cycle life will exceed 1000 times by 2022." Harrold Rust, co-founder and CEO of Enovix, said By the end of 2020, fully automatic production of batteries for commercial applications will be achieved.
Enovix will use most of the funds to complete its large-capacity battery production facility in Fremont, California. About 75% of the plant's equipment and processes are the same as standard pouch-type lithium-ion battery manufacturing.
At the same time, Enovix also developed a proprietary electrode laser patterning and high-speed stacking tool to replace the standard electrode winding process, which can increase the production line capacity by 30%.
At the end of 2019, Enovix also signed new agreements with two other portable electronics companies. The company has now signed agreements with leading customers in four categories to develop and produce silicon anode lithium-ion batteries for portable electronic devices. Once all are put into use, the annual revenue is expected to reach 250 million US dollars.
Based on the successful deployment of 3D lithium-ion battery technology in portable electronic devices, Enovix is currently working with leading international automakers to develop its proprietary battery technology for the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Preliminary research shows that its silicon battery can achieve an energy density greater than 340 Wh / kg, and the cost is equal to or lower than current industry forecasts. Enovix hopes to provide power products for the electric vehicle market within 5 years.