Full-Oxide Batteries

Billions of sensors now monitor factories, bridges, pipelines and power grids. Many sit in harsh or hard-to-reach places, where a battery fire or frequent replacement is not acceptable. ATLAB develops batteries made entirely of oxides: safe, non-flammable and built to last.

A conventional lithium-ion battery contains a flammable liquid that carries ions between its electrodes. In our batteries, every component is a solid oxide, a stable compound of oxygen and metals that does not burn. We target niche markets where safety and robustness matter most, such as industrial sensor networks and the monitoring of critical infrastructure. We are developing our own full-oxide battery technology, using thin films for micro-batteries on chips and ceramic 3D printing for three-dimensional electrodes.

Lithium is costly, and its supply is concentrated in a few countries. We therefore also explore oxide batteries that move other ions: sodium ions from abundant sea salt, oxygen ions, and protons. Our goal is safe, durable batteries that do not depend on lithium.