CarbeniumTec LLC is a sustainable power storage company specializing in advanced energy storage technology. Established in June 2020 through research at the University of Arizona, the company develops metal-free organic Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs). These innovative solutions aim to support the transition to a low-carbon future by providing long-duration, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy storage. CarbeniumTec’s technology addresses the need for efficient storage of renewable energy, mitigating intermittency issues and reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional battery chemistries. The company is positioned to serve a wide array of applications, including utility-scale grids, commercial and industrial facilities, off-grid setups, and residential applications.
Battery Technology
CarbeniumTec’s core offering is a non-aqueous, metal-free, organic redox flow battery. Unlike conventional flow batteries that rely on metal ions, CarbeniumTec’s technology uses proprietary organic molecules as electrolytes. This approach eliminates the environmental and safety risks linked to metal mining and toxic chemicals, resulting in a significantly reduced environmental footprint. The battery features a unique symmetrical design, utilizing the same organic molecule for both catholyte and anolyte. This design minimizes cross-contamination, simplifies the synthesis process, reduces manufacturing costs, and extends battery lifespan.
The non-aqueous chemistry enhances the system’s safety and stability. CarbeniumTec’s batteries demonstrate high cyclability, capable of enduring up to 12,000 charge-discharge cycles, and support fast charging rates, making them suitable for demanding grid applications. Furthermore, the technology incorporates low-cost synthetic materials and membranes, avoiding expensive ion-selective membranes, which contributes to overall cost efficiency. This combination of material innovation and design makes CarbeniumTec’s RFBs a sustainable alternative for large-scale energy storage.
Recent Projects
In 2024, CarbeniumTec continued to advance its technology through ongoing research and development efforts, focusing on improving the performance and cost-effectiveness of its organic RFBs. The company has been active in refining its electrolyte chemistry to enhance energy density and overall system integration. These efforts aim to prepare the technology for broader market adoption in utility, commercial, and industrial energy storage sectors. Work also progressed on optimizing the manufacturing processes to ensure scalability and reduce production costs, aligning with the company’s objective of delivering practical and affordable energy storage solutions.
Investors
CarbeniumTec LLC has received support from various institutions since its inception. The company emerged from research at the University of Arizona, which licenses technology to CarbeniumTec and participates in research collaborations. The University of Arizona Center for Innovation provides business support, office space, and incubation resources through programs like the UACI Sponsored Launch.
Additionally, CarbeniumTec has been a participant in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, receiving grants and business development assistance. Perkins Coie LLP has also contributed as a sponsor of the incubation contest that provided operational resources.
Business Details
Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Website: https://www.carbeniumtec.com/
LinkedIn: n/a
