High Entropy Oxide Glass Anodes for High Performance Batteries

Empower Battery Technology, in collaboration with Ohio State University is advancing the development of a high-entropy oxide (HEO) glass anode to create lithium-ion batteries that redefine high-power performance, fast charging capabilities, and energy density. The HEO glass anode offers a breakthrough in power and energy trade-offs, providing a unique combination of properties that enable rapid charging (up to 10C rates) while maintaining battery  energy densities over 300 Wh/kg—far surpassing traditional lithium titanate in energy density while simultaneously exceeding graphite anodes in power. The material's high Li+ conductivity allows for fast charging and extremely long cycle life, making it ideal for high-performance military applications that require both power and energy advancements. At the core of this innovation is our HEO glass anode, a next-generation anode material that unlocks exceptional Li+ conductivity and cycling stability. The anode chemistry is based on silicon oxides containing other dopants to prevent silicon from undergoing phase changes during (de)lithiation, thus inhibiting severe volume expansion. The material is chemically engineered to distribute and conduct alkali cations at extremely high rates, enabling fast charging (~ 5 min for Li-ion).  The SEI on the anode is also significantly more stable than Si or SiOx anodes due to the minimal expansion of the HEO glass anode. The anode has been shown to consistently deliver >600 mAh/g at 0.05 A/g (10-hour charge) while also showing unprecedented stability when operating at high rates of 10C (and up to 430C pulse charge). Unlike existing anode technologies, which often require a trade-off between energy and power, our HEO anode delivers both—along with the unique ability to charge efficiently and safely in low temperature environments.  In Phase I, we aim to scale the development of multi-layer pouch cells from our earlier successes with single-layer cells. Leveraging previous work in partnership with Argonne National Lab and the ARPA-E EVs4ALL program, the project will demonstrate prototype cells with a capacity exceeding 100 mAh, achieving fast-charge capabilities without compromising specific energy or cycle life. A key part of our strategy is the partnership with OSU's Battery Cell R&D Center, where access to commercial-scale roll-to-roll electrode coating equipment and pilot production lines will allow us to accelerate scale-up efforts. By Phase II, we expect to advance the technology to 2 Ah pouch cells, moving toward full commercial scale and broader applicability. Our HEO glass anode represents a critical step forward in addressing the challenges of modern military batteries. By combining rapid charge rates, competitive energy density, and robust performance at low temperatures, we will provide the U.S. Army and other DoD partners with a reliable solution for high-power battery applications.