Volkswagen-backed US battery startup Forge Nano has started shipping prototypes of its high-energy 21700-format cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells, which feature the company’s ‘Atomic Armor’ surface technology, to existing customers and potential partners.
Forge Nano plans to ship thousands of these prototype cells to current customers later this year, representing several gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year of confirmed offtake. Since announcing its large battery factory in North Carolina in November 2023, the company has received letters of intent to purchase a total of 24 GWh per year.
The company’s first commercial product, the ‘Gen. 1.1 Supercell,’ boasts an energy density of 300 Wh/kg. It utilizes a cathode made of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC 811) and a composite anode made of silicon oxide (SiOx)-graphite. The cell aims to exceed the energy density targets of the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) while reducing costs by 20% per kWh.
While Volkswagen plans to use this technology for vehicles, Forge Nano states that the ‘Atomic Armor’ is applicable beyond road vehicles. Potential uses include aviation, special electric vehicles, and the defense sector.
Commercial production of the ‘Supercells’ is expected to commence at a newly constructed Gigafactory outside Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2026. Forge Nano intends to source 90% of the cell materials from US entities, qualifying the product for US subsidies.
“Forge Battery has received huge interest from new customers to test our made-in-America Supercells for their high-performance market needs,” said Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge Nano. “We look forward to meeting our current customer’s sampling commitments, while building additional growth in new market segments, with the shipment of our A-Sample prototype cells. These cells achieve a leap in all-around Li-ion performance thanks to our Atomic Armor technology.”
Barbara Hughes, VP of Energy Storage at Forge Nano, added, “With higher silicon content in the anode, a reduction in electrolyte and additives, and the ability to cycle at higher voltages, the Forge Battery Supercell is poised to outcompete state-of-the-art Tier 1 suppliers globally and showcase U.S. battery innovation to the world.”
