Amprius’ commercially available silicon anode battery platform – SiCore

Amprius Technologies Inc. announces its all-new SiCore product platform, an expansion of its product portfolio of industry-leading silicon anode batteries targeted to revolutionize electric mobility. In addition to this SiCore product platform, Amprius has also branded its existing silicon nanowire platform SiMaxx with its current product range of up to 500Wh/kg and 1,300Wh/L energy density.

The new SiCore batteries are based on an innovative, proprietary silicon anode material system delivering high-energy-density silicon anode batteries that surpass state-of-the-art graphite cell performance today. The new silicon anode cell chemistry is designed to offer high energy density, up to 400Wh/kg, and long cycle life, as many as 1,200 cycles at full depth of discharge.

“Leveraging our proven track record of delivering the industry’s highest commercially available energy density silicon anode lithium-ion cells to esteemed aviation customers such as AALTO/Airbus, AeroVironment, BAE Systems, Teledyne FLIR, and the U.S. Military, Amprius sees a significant opportunity with SiCore to broaden our silicon anode battery solutions today and to advance more applications across electric mobility,” says Dr. Kang Sun, CEO of Amprius Technologies. “The global battery market size for electric mobility is projected to grow to over $100 billion by 2025,1,2,3 including aviation and electric vehicles. This new product platform is expected to strengthen our ability to meet customers’ volume shipment requirements immediately while presenting a drop-in solution to foster silicon anode adoption in multiple applications, allowing us to better address this growing market.”

Developed in close collaboration with Berzelius (Nanjing) Co. Ltd. (a formerly affiliated company then known as Amprius (Nanjing)), the SiCore silicon anode battery performance has been validated across various applications in the electric mobility market. Initial samples of SiCore batteries have garnered positive feedback from customers with demanding performance requirements, leading to forecasts from customers for demand in excess of 100 megawatt hours (MWh) over the coming years. Amprius has been sampling the SiCore products with customers for several months as part of an ongoing market exploration.

“We are excited to have been part of the initial testing with Amprius as they evaluated launching the groundbreaking SiCore battery, designed to significantly extend the travel range and cycle life of anything that flies or moves compared to currently available commercial batteries,” says John P. Aldana, Sr. director, Switchblade 300 Product Line, Loitering Missile Systems at AeroVironment. “As a pioneer in supplying ultra-high-energy silicon anode batteries to the aviation sector, we believe Amprius is well-positioned to introduce its new product families that provide extended range and enhanced performance that is available today, with plans to onshore production at Amprius’ new Colorado factory.”

Through an exclusive supply agreement with its partner Berzelius, Amprius possesses exclusive rights to use these silicon anode materials to serve the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The SiCore batteries are currently manufactured by toll manufacturing partners. The SiCore product platform complements the currently sold-out capacity of the Company’s SiMaxx silicon nanowire anode batteries, serving as a capacity bridge until the gigawatt-scale facility becomes operational.

“This alignment with a proven large-scale manufacturing partner positions us to deliver superior battery performance while leveraging their existing production lines,” Sun adds. “SiCore allows us to support our customers' roadmaps and demands while we execute on our plans for our large-scale facility in Colorado, all without diverting capital from the U.S. scaling effort.”

MWh-scale quantities of SiCore products in a wider range of form factors encompassing pouch, large form factor (up to 100Ah), and cylindrical cells are readily available for 2024 delivery to support customer demand. These products will pair with Amprius’ existing MWh capacity installed in Fremont, CA for SiMaxx. Amprius expects to produce both SiCore and SiMaxx batteries at its gigawatt-scale factory in Colorado.