Silatronix® Overview
Silatronix® is the leading producer of patented Organosilicon (OS) materials that enable extreme performance in Li-ion batteries. Silatronix® OS compounds extend cell life, increase cell capacity, expand temperature operability ranges, and allow the safe and effective use of higher charge voltages in Li-ion batteries. Silatronix® OS compounds do all of this while also improving Li-ion battery cell safety and stability. Silatronix OS compounds can be seamlessly integrated with both current and future Li-ion chemistries. OS compounds are non-flammable and stable at high temperature. These materials are well suited for use as electrolytes, binders, and coatings in energy storage devices.
Initially developed at the University of Wisconsin and Argonne National Laboratories, Silatronix® has developed the most comprehensive library of OS compounds, formulations, and test data for use in energy storage devices in the world. This position provides a “pipeline” of materials for use in the development of customized solutions for energy storage device manufacturers.
Silatronix® is currently in production with OS3®, a high performance-high safety organosilicon material. OS3® material is in the process of adoption throughout the Li-ion battery value chain. Silatronix® has established a global supply chain operation to support the manufacture and distribution of OS3 material. This includes a strategic sourcing relationship with Wacker Chemie AG, a global leader in producing silicon based materials.
Our Goal
Among leaders in the energy storage industry, there is nearly universal recognition of the need for improved electrolytes, especially in development of new Li-ion batteries. The flammability, voltage stability, and thermal stability of the existing solvents used in Li-ion batteries are a major cause of safety concerns. In addition, these limitations are impeding the development of advanced Li-ion batteries for all applications, including portable products, electric-drive vehicles (EDVs), and utility-scale use. Silatronix® believes the versatility of silicon chemistry has the potential to produce organosilicon (OS) solvents and new electrolyte formulations that can solve many of the short-term Li-ion electrolyte problems, and enable new OS materials to be “engineered” to meet future needs.
Our goal at Silatronix® is to commercialize OS based materials that enable development of high performance, safe, environmentally friendly energy storage devices. Silatronix® initial focus is on OS based electrolytes for Li-ion battery products. OS electrolytes are compatible with all lithium (Li) based electrochemical systems, including non-rechargeable batteries, Li-ion, Li-air, and Li-battery/capacitors. The process of designing OS electrolytes into a Li battery involves limited changes in the cell design, and these electrolytes can be incorporated into production operations with existing manufacturing processes and equipment. The Company has estimated the market opportunity for Li-ion OS electrolytes could exceed $1 billion in the next 10 to 12 years.
The Company
Silatronix®, Inc., located in Madison, Wisconsin, was founded in 2007 by Dr. Robert West and Dr. Robert Hamers, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Venture Investors, LLC. The Company’s technology combines Dr. West’s expertise in OS compounds with that of Dr. Hamers in nanostructured electrodes and the electronic properties of materials. The first-generation OS molecules were developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory. Silatronix® has gone on to develop two additional generations of OS molecules which includes their 3rd generation OS3® material.
Accomplishments
Since being founded in 2007, Silatronix® has developed the most comprehensive library of OS compounds, formulations, and test data for OS containing electrolytes in the world. This position provides a “pipeline” of materials for use in the development of customized solutions for battery manufacturers. Silatronix® is now in production with our first commercial product, OS3®. OS3® is being applied by most major Li-ion battery manufactures to enable higher energy density, safer performing Li-ion battery systems. Following are some recent accomplishments at the company: • Delivering initial production quantities of OS3® for early adopter applications.
• Achieved or in process of achieving complete chemical registration of OS3® for all major Li-ion battery manufacturing locations globally.
• Awarded a $10.1M Office of Naval Research (ONR) for Organosilicon Electrolytes for Safe, High Energy, High-Nickel Magnesium Cobalt Li-ion Batteries.
• Awarded a $3.7M Office of Naval Research (ONR) contract in conjunction with the development of safe high energy NCA-based Li-ion batteries.
• Awarded $1.6M in funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) in support of The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) roadmap to improve thermal stability and safety in high voltage electric vehicle systems.
• Completed design of Gen 2 OS electrolyte solvents with enhanced voltage and thermal stability in Li-ion batteries.
• Established Asia distribution with Inabata & Co Ltd.
• Completed an $8M equity capital round supported by Silatronix® existing investors along with Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. and Inabata & Co Ltd.
• Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. (“HCC”) has agreed to license from Silatronix®, Inc. the rights to manufacture, sell and use specific OS compounds for use in lithium-ion battery (“LiB”) electrolytes.
• Silatronix® Awarded a $2M Navy ONR Contract for Organosilicon electrolytes to Enable Safe, High Energy Li-ion Batteries with Advanced Silicon Anodes.