ION Storage Systems hits performance milestone with solid-state battery

ION Storage Systems (ION), a Maryland-based developer of solid-state battery (SSB) technology, has achieved a significant breakthrough with its battery cell demonstrating a 25x increase in capacity in a commercially-relevant footprint while surpassing 1,000 charge cycles. This dual achievement marks a critical milestone in the company's path to commercialization, validating both the performance and durability needed for a range of applications, particularly significant as ION's cells cycle without compression or volume change, overcoming a key barrier to commercial SSB adoption.

In 2024, ION commissioned a 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, one of the largest of its kind in the United States, and received a $20 million award from ARPA-E to support the continued development of its SSBs. ION's next-generation battery cells are engineered to provide safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient energy solutions tailored to the demanding requirements of defense, consumer electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), and grid storage sectors. The company is now leveraging this momentum to advance the development of multi-layer cells at its Beltsville, Maryland facility.

Key highlights:

• Breakthrough performance: 25x capacity increase over previous cell designs, demonstrating cell footprints up to 40mm x 40mm, with the capability of going larger.
• Proven durability: Achievement of 1,000+ cycles in this larger format validates the technology for commercial applications. Cycling was performed at a rate of C/3 at room temperature and without compression, with cells maintaining greater than 80% capacity retention. This demonstrates critical capabilities for integration into customer products and builds on ION’s smaller cell work, which has reached more than 2000 cycles.
• Manufacturing innovation: New 30,000-square-foot facility positioned for rapid scaling to multi-layer cell production.
• Supply chain security: Strategic partnerships with suppliers like Saint-Gobain Ceramics ensure reliable material access.

Advanced SSB technology
ION's technology enhances both capacity and cycle life, overcoming key challenges, particularly in consumer electronics, defense, and portable applications. ION's ceramic-based cells eliminate the need for compression during cycling—a crucial advantage in space-constrained devices. With the ability to achieve 1,000+ cycles, ION's technology offers a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

"This milestone is a game-changer for solid-state batteries and a defining moment for ION," says Greg Hitz, co-founder and CTO of ION Storage Systems. "Battery-powered applications demand power sources that are not only high-performing but also safe, compact, and long-lasting. Our breakthrough—achieving both a 25x capacity increase and delivering over 1,000 cycles—demonstrates that our technology is ready to meet these challenges. With our new production facility ramping up multi-layer development, we are accelerating the path to commercialization and unlocking the full potential of solid-state batteries across multiple sectors."