GDI Powers Ahead with Third Party Cell Verification of its 100% Silicon Anode to Deliver 15-min Rapid Charging and Eliminate Graphite in Li-ion

15-MIN CHARGING AND HIGHER ENERGY: Third party testing of GDI’s 100% silicon anodes in Navitas cells showed increased energy density of >30% vs. graphite anodes, enabling 15-min fast charging up to 80% SOC – hundreds of times back-to-back.
A battery architecture that will accelerate mass adoption of next generation electronics and Electric Vehicles [EVs]
SAFER AND MORE POWERFUL: Third party safety tests proved GDI’s silicon anode is one of the world’s only battery technologies that increases energy AND improves safety, with no change to standard electrolyte
COST REDUCTIONS ACROSS VALUE CHAIN: GDI has demonstrated MWh scale ‘roll-to-roll’ production on AGC’s industrial equipment in Q4 2023, a world first for 100% silicon anodes; this is an important step to showing the anode can be produced at GWh scale and delivered directly to cell makers [Gigafactories]. The finished anode can be dropped directly into existing cell production lines – avoiding numerous steps and cutting costs. GDI’s advanced production method reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 80% vs. graphite anodes, critical for the EV industry.

Rochester, New York, 12/13/2023: GDI, the silicon anode specialist, has launched a ground-breaking 100% silicon, ‘roll-to-roll’ processed anode for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, setting new benchmarks for graphite free battery cells capable of 15-minute fast-charging, greater safety, and >30% higher energy density.

Rob Anstey, GDI Founder/CEO:

“Our mission at GDI is to deliver a complete 100% silicon anode that can be integrated into existing battery production, greatly reduces GHG emissions from the anode production, and scales rapidly on cutting-edge industrial equipment. In partnership with AGC and Navitas we have done all three. This is a tremendous milestone for us, and the industry. The next step is to show our anode can enable EV batteries that power vehicles with >500 miles of range, allows them to charge 250 miles in 15 minutes, hundreds of times, and improves safety. GDI and AGC have developed a clear roadmap to Gigawatt scale production by 2028, so that this technology can used in tens of thousands of high-performance vehicles by 2030.”

GDI’s silicon anode offers >30% higher energy density, repeated 15-minute fast charging [hundreds of times back-to-back], and improved safety. Often in lithium-ion batteries, the industry trades off fast charging and safety, for high energy, but GDI allows for all three simultaneously through its revolutionary 100% silicon architecture, bonded directly to copper alloy foil, from Carl Schlenk AG, a global leader in high performance metal foils.

Even more exciting is that Navitas nail penetration testing has demonstrated GDI’s silicon.

Anode is far more resistant to thermal runaway [fire] than current state of the art high energy EV cells on the market. After leaving a nail pierced through a 3.5Ah cell with a GDI anode for 10 hours, there was no fire, no smoke, and temperatures only increased 10 degrees Celsius. GDI is already executing initial product development partnerships in MedTech and Defense and is simultaneously carrying out initial testing for the premium EV segment.

The net result is quicker go to market strategies for safe, fast-charging, and high energy next gen battery cells.

Technical Perspective:
GDI’s 100% silicon anodes have shown over 3200mAh/g in third party testing, increasing energy density by >30% vs. graphite anodes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and enabling 15-min fast charging [>5x more fast-charging cycles than current state-of-the-art EV battery cells]
Navitas cells, containing GDI anode, passed nail penetration testing at >250Wh/kg in a 3.5Ah cell pouch cell with [a standard] liquid electrolyte; proving GDI silicon is one of the world’s only technologies that increases energy and has improved levels of safety, superior to current high energy graphite and nickel EV cell chemistries.
By partnering with AGC, a world leader in plasma equipment and glass production, GDI has demonstrated MWh scale ‘roll-to-roll’ production on industrial equipment in Q4 2023. This is the proof of concept to show that GDI’s silicon anodes can be produced at GWh scale and delivered directly to cell makers [Gigafactories] and integrated directly into existing cell production lines

Worlds First MWh Scale 100% Silicon Anode

GDI’s partnership with AGC, a global leader in glass and plasma coating technology, has proven this architecture can also be made at large scale on modified industrial glass coating equipment. Similar equipment to what AGC uses to coat skyscraper glass. GDI and AGC have achieved a first in the world milestone of producing 100% silicon anodes, roll-to-roll at MWh scales. This is the first step on a five-year path to achieving Gigawatt scale manufacturing of the anode by YE2028. This will pave the way for mass produced silicon anodes that can completely replace graphite. Creating safer, more secure supply chains, and delivering next-gen battery cells.

In third party verified cell testing, GDI’s anode drops directly into conventional cell assembly, and achieved >280Wh/kg in a 3Ah pouch cell design. Even more impressively, the cell was able to pass nail penetration testing, even with commercial off the shelf liquid electrolytes, and a high nickel cathode, only heating up to 30 degrees Celsius.

Safety First

GDI’s 100% silicon anode is a first in class of silicon dominant anodes, which usually go into thermal runaway and heat up to >800 degrees Celsius, at loadings higher than 5% silicon to 95% graphite active materials. This will be critical to passing new European electric vehicle safety regulations in 2027/2028.

Ends

About GDI

GDI has its headquarters in New York and a European R&D Center and pilot production facility located in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. It is currently setting up its first MWh-scale ‘roll-to-roll’ production facility in Lauenförde, Germany. GDI has spent the last decade researching and developing industry transforming next generation battery materials and high energy storage technologies. GDI is backed by leading venture capitalists, industry experts, government, EIT InnoEnergy, and strategic investors. https://www.gdinrg.com

For media enquiries:

Ben Kilbey
Founder BOLD Voodoo
ben@baldvoodoo.com

GDI Powers Ahead with Third Party Cell Verification of its 100% Silicon Anode to Deliver 15-min Rapid Charging and Eliminate Graphite in Li-ion

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