Amprius reveals its newest lithium-ion battery cell, with key power advantages for electric aviation
Amprius Technologies has shared more details of its newest ultra-high-power-high-energy lithium-ion battery, which it claims can help extend the flight range of an eVTOL aircraft by as much as 50 per cent.
Leveraging the company’s advanced material system capability, the cell achieves a discharge rate of 10C while delivering 400 Wh/kg energy density, a major advancement for electric aviation encompassing both crewed and uncrewed aerial systems.
Amprius says the cell’s power output can bring unprecedented benefits to the eVTOL and UAV industries, providing unmatched propulsion power and energy to meet the rigorous demands during takeoff, cruise, and landing. The company has even said the product can help increase payload capacity.
Dr. Kang Sun, Chief Executive Officer of Amprius, said: “Commercial opportunities in electric mobility are profoundly impacted by their power and energy requirements. Our new cell delivers impressive specific power and energy density performance, approximately 200% higher than traditional graphite cells, while achieving a 10C discharge rate, significantly expanding application possibilities and driving cost effectiveness.”
With an impressive power density of 3500 W/kg in standard discharge conditions and a maximum power exceeding 4400 W/kg at lower depths-of-discharge, the cell’s usable discharge capability is extended. It supports high current pulses at low states of charge without going below the lower cut-off voltage, namely 3000 W/kg at 30% depths-of-discharge.
The combination of high energy density and high-power density reduces battery weight and volume, leading to extended range, reduced charging frequency, and lower operating costs. In addition, the new ultra-high-power cell boasts an ultra-fast charging (UFC) capability, reaching 80 percent charge in approximately six minutes or less, transforming mission-critical operations with swift turnaround times.
Amprius remains dedicated to providing batteries that are a key component required to advance electric mobility. Amprius expects to have samples of this cell available for customers by the end of 2023 with the commercialisation of the new cells slated for early 2024.
The company’s corporate headquarters is in Fremont, California, where it maintains an R&D lab and a pilot manufacturing facility for the fabrication of silicon anodes and cells. To serve customer demand, Amprius recently entered into a lease agreement for an approximately 774,000 sq. ft. facility in Brighton, Colorado.