Silicon Valley startup Sakuú says it has set up a pilot facility for 3D-printed solid-state batteries — the world’s first. That approach would be a big turn-on in the battery world if it were commercially competitive, both because until now solid-state batteries have been little more than a futurist’s dreams, and because 3D printing was not the preferred method of battery manufacturing. . So until real scale and commercial competitiveness are achieved, it’s only natural for battery industry followers to approach Sakuú with a fair amount of skepticism.
That said, Sakuú reports that it has just opened “a state-of-the-art versatile tech hub for its battery platform printing initiatives in Silicon Valley” and claims that this hub “will serve as the gateway for large-scale battery printing plants around the world.” world.” It wouldn’t be the first technological marvel to come out of Silicon Valley.
Photo courtesy of Sakuú
While plans are as good as a contract written with vanishing ink in the tech world, a battery production pilot plant Sakuú opened a year ago already produces 3D printed solid state batteries for real customers. The new engineering hub will take that to the next level and act as the real headquarters of the company. “The new facility will showcase two of Sakuu’s flagship products. First, Sakuu’s innovative Kavian platform – the world’s first scale 3D printing platform capable of quickly printing safe, ultra-high energy density solid-state batteries in custom shapes and sizes. Second, Sakuu’s non-battery manufacturing platforms that can produce medical devices, IoT sensors and other advanced electrical devices – produced in a highly durable and efficient way.”
Photo courtesy of Sakuú
Sakuú had raised $62 million in the fall of last year. “With its renewed investment, the company aims to fund the launch of its first generation of solid-state batteries (SSBs) in H2 2022, as well as the future release of its second iteration battery 3D printer,” 3D printing industry writes. “The company seems to be on the path it has mapped out. With twice the energy density and 30% less weight than existing Li-ion cells, the company’s second-generation batteries have potential residential and industrial applications, within energy storage, microreactors and electronics.” Sakuú is also targeting use in electric vehicles, but no clear partnerships have been identified at this time.
In terms of scale, the fledgling company aims to reach a battery production capacity of 60 GWh by 2028. That’s almost double the
NEW this morning – our #SVLG member @sakuucorp announces the opening of its new engineering facility to scale 3D printing of solid-state batteries.
Designed with sustainability in mind, this print will allow for more energy storage and other key technology!https://t.co/0yWaookXFq
— Energy & Environment. @ Silicon Valley Leadership Group (@greenSVLG) August 4, 2022
“We are in a rapid growth phase due to strong demand for our future printed batteries,” said Sean Sharif, VP of Global Supply Chain and Logistics. “Our new facility paves the way for our first 3D printing platform gigafactory, called Sakuu G-One. The facility enables our teams to fine-tune all aspects of our battery printing technologies to enable rapid implementation of our giant factories.”
The new 79,000-square-foot tech hub will focus on improving battery manufacturing and design – including serving as a home base for teams focused on engineering, materials science and additive manufacturing. It will also be the venue for new gigafactory employee training and product demos for customers. “It is estimated that there will be 115 employees in the first quarter of 2023.”
“Sakuu is committed to building an exceptionally talented workforce that will be a part of our reinvention of renewable energy production,” said Founder and CEO Robert Bagheri. “We are on a mission to build a company and brand powered by transformative products that can leave an impactful legacy for societal and environmental Modify.”
on June 7, Shake announced that “the first-generation unprinted lithium-metal battery has achieved continuous 3C discharge under extensive testing.” CleanTechnicaLeading the news at the time, Steve Hanley wrote: “Based on the company’s Kavian platform, the rapidly printed batteries will enable adaptable, mass-produced and cost-effective production of solid-state batteries, while solving fundamental challenges facing battery manufacturers. are facing today… Sample cell deliveries are expected to be shipped to customers in 2023.”
Earlier this year, the company announced a major milestone in battery energy density. “Sakuu, developer of the world’s first 3D-printed solid-state battery, today announces the benchmark energy density of 800 Wh/L in its first-generation non-printed lithium-metal battery. This marks an important milestone on Sakuu’s roadmap to fully 3D-printable solid-state batteries capable of more than 1200 Wh/L by 2023. To date, market-leading lithium-ion batteries, such as those used in today’s best-selling electric vehicles, have in a range of 500-700 Wh/L,” the San Jose company announced March 15. “The Wh/L capacities of Sakuu batteries have increased exponentially since development began in August 2020, and with this latest benchmark test completed in February 2022, this is more promising than leading commercially available batteries.” Does reaching 800 Wh/L mean the company can reach 1200 Wh/L? There’s no guarantee of that, but it sounds like the company is making rapid progress.
Graphics courtesy of Sakuú
Is Sakuú a hot new battery company to watch? I wouldn’t write about it if I didn’t think so. They are far from the finish. Mass production of commercially competitive batteries is no small feat, and solid-state batteries have been an elusive (but hugely hyped) dream for over a decade. When we threw in 3D printing, a first look at the news this week threw up a bunch of yellow, red, and orange flags. But the closer I looked, the more curious I became. Could Sakuú be the real deal?
In addition to the June news, CEO Bagheri said: “As far as our solid-state battery development is concerned, we are preparing to unveil a new category of high-speed printed batteries that are widely manufactured using our additive manufacturing platform. The sustainability and supply chain implications of this groundbreaking development will be transformative.” With big claims, one has to provide great evidence. Since we are not a customer of Sakuú, we cannot confirm the viability of Sakuú’s technology and plans. However, in the real world progress is being made and the initial plans are becoming reality. As the CEO thinks what they’re doing is “transformational” it’s up to him and his team to bring that to life, but most transformational technology starts in one’s head and a lot of it comes from Silicon Valley, California.
“We are on track to develop that ‘holy grail’ solid-state battery by 2023, and this first-generation benchmark is a validating achievement on the roadmap to significantly better batteries,” Bagheri said in March.
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