Volt Carbon Technologies, along with its subsidiary Solid UltraBattery, has been awarded funding from the DAIR Green Fund for two aerospace innovation projects. The first initiative focuses on developing high-performance carbon materials, leveraging Volt Carbon’s proprietary graphite extraction technology to create aerospace-grade graphene composites. These materials enhance aircraft fuel efficiency and thermal management, supporting Canada’s net-zero aviation goals. The second project, led by Solid UltraBattery, aims to improve the low-temperature performance of lithium-ion batteries, particularly for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Through controlled ground testing and collaboration with the University of Waterloo, the company seeks to develop reliable battery solutions for extreme cold environments. Both initiatives highlight Volt Carbon’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions for the aerospace industry.

Volt Carbon Technologies has announced a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery performance, successfully developing a low-temperature Li-metal battery functional at -80°C. In collaboration with Dr. Aiping Yu from the University of Waterloo, the team at Solid UltraBattery has created a proprietary high-entropy electrolyte that significantly enhances battery performance in extreme cold. Testing demonstrated that at -40°C, the new electrolyte retained 62.5% capacity, compared to 16.8% for standard electrolytes, and at -80°C, it maintained 30.3% capacity while conventional electrolytes failed entirely. This advancement holds potential for applications in aerospace, defense, and extreme cold environments. The company is now advancing to pouch cell development to validate commercial scalability and aims to bring this technology to market for industries requiring superior cold-weather battery performance.

Solid UltraBattery has released initial test results for its Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, showcasing advancements in high-energy LFP technology. Achieving an industry-leading 280Wh/kg for LFP/Li-metal batteries, the company's recent testing demonstrates coin cells enduring 800 cycles while maintaining 78.5% of their capacity, signaling a significant milestone in LFP/Li-metal battery technology. With a goal to surpass 800 cycles and achieve an 80% capacity threshold by the end of 2024, the company remains committed to advancing its lithium-ion battery product roadmap and developing battery-grade anodes processed from its Scarborough facility.

Volt Carbon Technologies has initiated battery anode development using graphite from Green Battery Minerals' Berkwood property, achieving a record-high total carbon content of 98.4% through a dry separation process. Under Dr. Aiping Yu's guidance, the graphite was mechanically reduced to battery-grade anode sizes, confirmed suitable for further development through extensive characterization. Coin cells, manufactured alongside benchmarked samples, are undergoing cycle testing at both Solid Ultrabattery's and the University of Waterloo's labs, showing promising initial results with a capacity of 344mAh/g, highlighting the potential of sustainable dry-separated graphite for battery applications.

Solid Ultrabattery Inc. is a successful applicant of the Horizon Fund Competition for a project titled “Development of Solar Charging for Solid Ultrabattery’s Aerospace Battery Project”. The project aims to further enhance Solid Ultrabattery’s new 400Wh/kg battery with solar charging. The combination of solar and battery electric technology holds the potential to significantly extend the flight duration of small drones.

Under the Leadership of Dr. Zhongwei Chen, University of Waterloo and Solid Ultrabattery's battery lead, Dr. Hey Woong Park, the first batch of 19 layer 5 Ah batteries was fabricated at the Guelph facility. The batteries reached their initial targeted energy density exceeding 250 Wh/kg (which matches or exceeds the same energy density levels of current electric vehicles in production). In testing, the batteries have successfully completed rate capability tests and is currently performing cycle life tests at the Guelph lab.

Solid UltraBattery releases its 2022 test results on the performance of its solid-state lithium-metal batteries. The battery cells were fabricated using the company’s proprietary technology which includes a metal organic framework (MOF) membrane and composite electrolytes. The lithium metal coin cell batteries achieved 400 cycles at 81.6% capacity, and the lithium metal pouch cell batteries achieved 265 cycles at 81.8%. The company aims to exceed 800 cycles and 80% capacity with its safe lithium metal battery technology through further development of MOF nanotechnology and composite electrolytes.

Solid UltraBattery commissions its new research facility fully equipped to build and test prototype batteries.

Volt Carbon Technologies acquires Solid UltraBattery, bringing together their expertise in the field of energy storage technologies with Volt Carbon’s critical minerals processing capabilities. With this acquisition, Solid UltraBattery strengthens its position in developing advanced solid-state battery technology.