Volexion

Founded in 2018 in Evanston, Illinois, Volexion specializes in graphene encapsulation for lithium-ion battery cathodes. Their innovative technology boosts energy and power density, extends battery life, and reduces costs. Applied in electric vehicles and electronics, Volexion partners with major manufacturers and is backed by leading clean technology investors.

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Volexion is an innovative battery technology company specializing in graphene encapsulation solutions for lithium-ion battery cathodes. Founded in 2018 as a spin-out from Northwestern University, the company develops advanced materials that significantly enhance battery performance. Their proprietary technology improves energy density, extends battery life, and reduces costs while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes. Based in Evanston, Illinois, Volexion’s expertise stems from research conducted at Northwestern University and scaled at Argonne National Laboratory.

Battery Technology

Volexion’s primary innovation lies in its unique graphene encapsulation technology for lithium-ion cathode active materials. This bio-based composite coating creates a protective layer around cathode particles, resulting in substantial performance improvements. The technology delivers a 30% increase in energy density compared to current solutions while enhancing power density by up to ten times.

The coating process is designed as a “drop-in” solution, meaning manufacturers can implement it without modifying their existing production lines. This approach makes the technology particularly attractive for large-scale adoption. The graphene encapsulation also provides critical safety benefits by stabilizing batteries at higher temperatures and preventing thermal runaway reactions.

The technology’s applications span multiple sectors, including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and specialty applications such as drones and micromobility solutions. For electric vehicle manufacturers, Volexion’s solution offers extended driving ranges and reduced production costs, with an estimated 25-30% decrease in overall battery expenses.

Recent Projects

As of early 2024, Volexion continues its work with multiple battery and automotive manufacturers to integrate its graphene encapsulation technology into commercial applications. The company maintains active research and development efforts at its facilities in the Querrey InQbation Lab, focusing on optimizing its technology for various battery chemistries and applications.

Investors

Volexion has secured significant financial backing from prominent clean technology investors. Clean Energy Ventures and Energy Foundry led a $2.2 million seed financing round in April 2021. The company received additional funding of $961,200 through a venture round in April 2023. Volexion also benefits from support from the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, particularly through its collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory.