London-based startup Sention Technologies has secured £3.7 million in seed funding to advance its AI-driven battery diagnostics solutions. The funding round was led by Twin Path Ventures and included participation from Doral Energy-Tech Ventures, Endgame Capital, Energy Revolution Ventures, G.K. Goh Ventures, Green Angel Ventures, Third Sphere, and the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund.
Sention Technologies utilizes proprietary acoustic imaging and electrochemical characterization techniques integrated with X-ray computed tomography and thermal imaging. This combination allows users to examine electrochemical devices internally, assessing critical physical, structural, and chemical properties that impact performance, quality, and safety. By leveraging advanced machine learning models, Sention can predict cell health, grade batteries, and forecast degradation as well as critical issues such as thermal runaway. These capabilities are designed to help battery manufacturers, technology developers, and fleet integrators minimize waste, enhance performance, and improve safety.
In a statement, Sention CEO, Professor Dan Brett, said, “This funding marks a significant milestone for Sention as we continue to innovate at the forefront of battery diagnostics. The support of Twin Path Ventures, and our co-investors, validates our mission to enable the energy transition by transforming the efficiency and safety of batteries and other electrochemical technologies. Batteries are transforming the way we live and leading us toward Net Zero, but they come with challenges. This investment will enable us to deliver our products to customers, making a real difference in the battery industry.”
The company highlighted the necessity of quality control and safety advancements for the ongoing development and adoption of battery technology. Current inspection methods are reportedly inadequate, leading to high battery production scrap rates of up to 30 percent, substantial product recalls, and limited capabilities in grading cells and predicting their useful lifespan.
With the new funding, Sention plans to accelerate the commercialization of its Senturion ultrasound instrument, a benchtop device that provides real-time, non-invasive battery diagnostics, alongside Sentinel, its AI-driven data fusion software. Additionally, the company will invest in research and development for Sentry, a next-generation product designed for integration into production lines, and expand its team and customer base.
John Spindler of Twin Path Ventures said: “Sention has enormous potential to transform the way batteries are developed, manufactured and used. Their technology uses the power of machine learning to predict how batteries perform, age and fail. We are excited by the tremendous potential that AI has to shape the battery industry.”
Source: The Engineer
