General Motors and OneD Battery Sciences have signed a joint research development agreement focused on the potential use of OneD’s silicon nanotechnology in GM’s Ultium battery cells to drive “significant” increases in energy density for longer range and reduced cost.
GM Ventures and Volta Energy Technologies also participated in OneD’s Series C funding round, which the company recently closed at US$25m.
The focus of the collaboration is OneD’s Sinanode platform which adds more silicon onto the anode battery cells by fusing silicon nanowires into EV-grade graphite. Silicon can store 10 times more energy than graphite. Increasing energy density can open the door to smaller, lighter, more efficient battery packs that could achieve higher driving range at lower cost.
“GM designed Ultium to be a supremely flexible platform so we can continuously improve our cells as battery technology advances,” said Kent Helfrich, GM chief technology officer, VP of R&D and president of GM Ventures.
“Our collaboration with OneD will focus on efforts to continue advancements in EV range, performance and cost.”
The collaboration on silicon anode technology is believed to be the first of its kind between two American companies.
“From day one, OneD has aimed to simplify silicon as the means to a completely new era of EVs. We believe that the winners of the EV race will be those who can effectively add more silicon to the battery cell, in a way that doesn’t disrupt existing supply chains and processes,” said Vincent Pluvinage, CEO, OneD Battery Sciences.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with General Motors on our shared goal of accelerating mass EV adoption.”
