Sakuu collaborates with Livent on additively manufacturable lithium for batteries
April 25, 2023
Sakuú Corporation, San Jose, California, USA, has announced promising results from its ongoing testing of an additively manufacturable lithium formulation from Livent for use in Sakuu’s AM batteries. Sakuu is collaborating with Livent Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under an existing joint development agreement (JDA) for the use of Livent’s proprietary LIOVIX® lithium formulation in Sakuu’s additively manufactured battery. The LIOVIX platform includes applications for pre-lithiation and lithium metal anode manufacturing.
In February, Sakuu announced consistent and successful Additive Manufacturing of fully functional high-performance patterned batteries. These AM cells used Livent’s LIOVIX® lithium formulation in the anode, which reportedly enhanced the patterning capabilities of Sakuu’s proprietary AM process. Sakuu achieved several notable accomplishments in this period, including what has been referred to as the first fully functional additively manufactured lithium-metal battery, the first AM patterned lithium-metal anode, and the first AM lithium-metal battery in a custom form factor shape.
Sakuu’s Kavian platform is engineered for companies to manufacture next-generation batteries, including solid-state chemistries, for commercial-scale production. Additionally, Sakuu’s battery technology can be licensed for use in today’s manufacturing equipment, or with the Kavian manufacturing platform.
“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Livent and explore how the LIOVIX formulation can integrate into our novel method of manufacturing next-generation SwiftPrint batteries at commercial scale,” stated Robert Bagheri, CEO and founder of Sakuu. “Having access to innovative ingredients from a US-based, globally established lithium supplier enhances our next-gen battery development via 3D printing to deliver ultimate performance, safety, and sustainability. Our Kavian platform is designed to help industries reimagine what a battery can become – starting with how it is made – to unlock commercial-scale manufacturability of solid-state and other performance batteries. Kavian manufacturing is poised to introduce transformative product innovation across industries going electric.”
Paul Graves, Livent’s president and CEO, added, “The successful application of the LIOVIX formulation in Sakuu’s next generation batteries and leading-edge manufacturing process shows what is possible through strong collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing innovation in battery development. We are excited to build on our partnership with Sakuu to deliver on the promise of pioneering technologies which can improve battery safety, performance, manufacturing efficiency and sustainability.”
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