General Motors and OneD Battery Sciences have announced a joint research development agreement focused on the potential use of OneD’s silicon nanotechnology in GM’s Ultium battery cells. According to the press release, the research development agreement will look at ways to design lighter, more efficient battery packs that increase driving range and lower costs. More specifically, the collaboration centers on OneD’s SINANODE platform, which adds more silicon onto the anode battery cells by fusing silicon nanowires into EV-grade graphite. The collaboration on silicon anode technology is believed to be the first of its kind between two American companies.
“GM designed Ultium to be a supremely flexible platform so we can continuously improve our cells as battery technology advances,” said Kent Helfrich, GM Chief Technology Officer, Vice President of GM Research and Development, and President of GM Ventures. “Our collaboration with OneD will focus on efforts to continue advancements in EV range, performance, and cost.”
“From day one, OneD has aimed to simplify silicon as the means to a completely new era of EVs,” said Vincent Pluvinage, CEO of OneD Battery Sciences. “We believe that the winners of the EV race will be those who can effectively add more silicon to the battery cell, in a way that doesn’t disrupt existing supply chains and processes.”
About GM & OneD
GM is scaling its Ultium EV Platform to reach one million units of annual EV manufacturing capacity in North America by 2025. Earlier this year, GM’s first Ultium Cells joint venture battery plant began production in Ohio, with two other U.S. plants under construction and a fourth also planned. Likewise, GM is building on more than a decade of advanced battery research and development with its new Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center in Warren, Michigan.
OneD licenses its SINANODE technology to industrial partners with a focus on helping them scale faster at a lower cost. Series C funds will be used to continue SINANODE research and development while also advancing pilot production. To date, OneD holds a portfolio of more than 240 granted patents.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with General Motors on our shared goal of accelerating mass EV adoption,” Pluvinage added.
