Battery Business Insights: Nanoramic, Inc

How Nanoramic Advances Sustainable Battery Manufacturing with Neocarbonix Technology

The original interview with Nanoramic Laboratories was published in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific

Nanoramic, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based innovator in energy storage and advanced materials, and is advancing the battery industry with its innovative Neocarbonix technology. Nanoramic was founded in 2009 as a spin-out from MIT, and since then has evolved from developing ultracapacitors to advancing sustainable lithium-ion battery solutions. Today, the company is leading the way in developing greener, safer and more efficient battery materials. Nanoramic's battery technology innovation is Neocarbonix, a proprietary electrode technology that replaces conventional materials like NMP solvent and PVDF binders with a sustainable alternative. This technology not only addresses environmental and regulatory concerns but also delivers significant enhancements in battery performance and manufacturing efficacy. Nanoramic initially focused its efforts on developing carbon-based materials capable of operating at extreme temperatures. This early work laid the foundation for Neocarbonix, which was later adapted for lithium-ion batteries in 2019 as the demand for EV batteries surged.

Neocarbonix?at the Core

Neocarbonix replaces traditional polymer binders with a 3D nanocarbon scaffold structure. This innovation eliminates the use of toxic solvents like NMP and fluorinated binders like PVDF, making the manufacturing process safer and more environmentally friendly. The technology also enhances battery performance by improving energy density, power output, and fast-charging capabilities.

Nanoramic’s ?battery technology offers a range of advantages that set it apart from conventional lithium-ion battery materials, such as:

• Elimination of PFAS chemicals and NMP solvents, reducing the environmental impact of battery production
• Increase in energy density by up to 35% and fast charging in less than 15 minutes
• Reduction of production costs by up to 27% by reducing inactive materials and increasing throughput
• Compatibility with existing battery manufacturing processes, means no major equipment changes are required.

Strategic Partnerships and Applications Across Industries

Nanoramic has formed strategic partnerships to accelerate the adoption of its technology. A notable collaboration with General Motors (GM) focuses on integrating Neocarbonix into GM’s Ultium battery platform for EVs. This partnership underscores the potential of Neocarbonix to improve cost, efficiency, and sustainability in large-scale battery production.

Applications spanning multiple industries can be found in the electric vehicle, consumer electronics and stationary energy storage technology. The company is also investing $47.5 million into a new manufacturing facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.?This facility will focus on the production of batteries using Neocarbonix technology, further advancing the companies mission to support sustainable energy solutions.

Our technology is not limited to passenger EV applications we are also actively working with our customers worldwide on applications in heavy duty, stationary storage, mobile devices, drones & eVTOL and power tools. - Dr. Christian Dietrich

Strategy for the Growing Battery Market

Nanoramic technology addresses growing regulatory concerns regarding hazardous materials like NMP and PFAS.?By eliminating these chemicals, the company not only improves worker safety but also helps manufacturers comply with evolving environmental regulations in the EU and U.S. Moreover, Neocarbonix contributes to the global transition towards cleaner energy systems by reducing the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing.

The primary focus of battery manufacturers has been on scaling up production, with a secondary focus on improving and adopting new innovations and processes. Today, faced with overproduction and competition from Asia, cell manufacturers have begun to shift their priorities. - Dr. Christian Dietrich

With its Neocarbonix platform, the company is solving problems in cost, performance, and environmental impact. As the demand for greener energy storage solutions increases, Nanoramic's technology provides a compelling path to a more sustainable and efficient future.

In collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, I recently had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Christian Dietrich, Director of Business Development at Nanoramic, Inc. , with whom we discussed the recent battery manufacturing innovations and technologies supplied by Nanoramic.

For more details, please visit the original interview published by Thermo Fisher Scientific: Interview article ? Downloadable PDF version