VWG invests in battery development
The Volkswagen Group is investing US$10m in the startup Forge Nano with a view to reinforcing its specialist knowledge in the field of battery research.
Forge Nano is investigating a material coating technology that could further improve the performance of battery materials. As a partner, Volkswagen will provide support for industrial trials of this technology. The transaction is still subject to approval by the authorities.
Volkswagen has been collaborating with Forge Nano on advanced battery material research since 2014. The startup with headquarters in Louisville, Colorado, is investigating processes for scaling atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create new core-shell materials, especially for battery applications. ALD is a chemical process for applying atomic scale coatings one atom at a time. With its specific ALD technology, Forge Nano aims to boost energy density of vehicle battery cells.
For example, a higher energy density would have positive effects on the range of electric vehicles. Volkswagen has been lending its automotive and battery expertise towards Forge Nano’s applied research efforts.
Dr Axel Heinrich, head of Volkswagen Group Research, said, ‘At Volkswagen, we want to be the world’s leading provider of e-mobility. We are continually expanding the battery technology know-how required for this purpose. We need to safeguard our technological competence for the future. Cooperation with start-ups is a key element in these efforts. We are acting as a partner to Forge Nano and intend to provide the team with opportunities to carry out industrial trials with its innovative technology.’
Dr Paul Lichty, founder and CEO of Forge Nano, said, ‘Our atomically precise surface engineering technology is ushering in a new era of high performance materials. We are excited to partner with a company that has such a strong commitment to commercializing innovation.’
