From ESS News
Tech giant Amazon is backing United States’ domestic battery manufacturing efforts, taking a lead role in the latest funding round of California-based silicon solid-state battery maker, Blue Current.
Blue Current announced it closed a more than $80 million Series D extension funding round led by Amazon, with participation from Koch Disruptive Technologies, Piedmont Capital, Allen & Company, and Rusheen Capital Partners.
From its pilot line facility in Hayward, California, Blue Current produces silicon solid-state batteries and it is now gearing up for commercialization, according to the company’s CEO, Susan Stone.
“Our technology platform fundamentally addresses the mobility and stationary storage sectors’ unique needs on an accelerated timeline to safely and reliably power the world. This commercialization phase will enable multiple high-value use cases that will allow us to quickly move to a safe and effective commercially available next-generation battery,” said Stone, calling for a “de-risked approach to solid-state battery commercialization that unlocks domestic manufacturing capacity.”
Their proponents say silicon solid-state batteries are inherently safer than lithium-ion batteries because they cannot catch fire. Kevin Wujcik, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Blue Current, acknowledged the technology’s safety advantages. “Our team has dedicated more than a decade of research and development into creating an industry-leading battery that sets our technology apart from other approaches. By prioritizing battery safety as our north star from day one, we came to our silicon-based design, not only drastically reducing fire risk but greatly improving energy density, cycle life, and charging speed,” he said.
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