Celltris is a Bristol-based company focused on advancing battery cell technology, specifically in lithium-ion and sodium-ion chemistries. Established by industry veterans Sam Alexander and Ian Hunt, who collectively bring over 20 years of experience in lithium-ion battery development, the company aims to optimize energy storage solutions. Celltris strives to achieve this by designing high-performance, cost-effective, and sustainable battery cells. A central part of its approach involves minimizing internal empty space within battery cells to enhance energy density and reduce manufacturing costs. By employing contemporary manufacturing methods and innovative cell assembly approaches, Celltris specializes in prismatic cell formats, known for their compact design and efficient manufacturing footprint compared to cylindrical and pouch cells. Celltris operates under the legal entity Beacon Battery Design Ltd.
Battery Technology
Celltris’s core innovation centers on its proprietary prismatic cell architecture, which features a simplified lid and terminal design. This design significantly reduces the component count from over 15 parts to just six, resulting in a lid that is more than 3 mm thinner and an estimated manufacturing cost reduction of approximately $6 per kWh. This translates to about a 50% cost saving compared to existing solutions. The design minimizes internal empty space, allowing for more active material within each cell and, consequently, higher energy density. Additionally, the cell terminals are engineered for fast charging, capable of handling currents exceeding 500A with minimal heat generation, which is crucial for applications such as electric vehicles (EVs).
Beyond these innovations, Celltris has developed advanced joining technology that replaces traditional ultrasonic welding with laser welding for internal copper foil stacks. Laser welding, a non-contact process, offers greater design flexibility and further optimizes cell space and performance. In parallel with lithium-ion cells, Celltris is developing sodium-ion technology, utilizing abundant earth materials that do not require cobalt, nickel, lithium, or hard carbon. This chemistry is projected to offer a 40% cost advantage over advanced lithium-ion cells without compromising performance. New sodium-ion anode technology and prismatic cell designs have undergone validation and are progressing toward commercialization.
Recent Projects
In 2024, Celltris completed a combined £0.8 million equity and grant funding round. QantX, a UK venture capital firm, led the equity portion, with additional support from the UKRI Faraday Battery Challenge, facilitated by Innovate UK. This funding is dedicated to accelerating the launch of a new, purpose-built cell prototyping facility in Bristol, which became operational in April 2024. The facility is designed to validate and refine Celltris’s advanced prismatic cell designs. The first prismatic lithium-ion prototypes from this development initiative were scheduled for completion by May 2024.
Investors
Celltris has garnered financial support from specific organizations to advance its mission. The company received a crucial investment from QantX, a South West UK-based venture capital firm. Additionally, Celltris secured grant funding from the UKRI Faraday Battery Challenge, an initiative delivered through Innovate UK. The total funding raised by Celltris exceeds £1.3 million, with the 2024 round playing a significant part in supporting its commercialization and prototyping efforts.
Business Details
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.celltris.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/89597628
