Nanotech Energy, the company co-founded by Professor Richard Kaner, is named CES 2022 Innovation Award Winner as the only producer of non-flammable, graphene-based batteries.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world’s largest technology tradeshow. Nanotech Energy’s award-winning batteries utilize the non-flammable electrolyte technology that Professor Richard Kaner and his former graduate students Dr. Brian McVerry and Dr. Maher El-Kady patented. A UCLA distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and of materials science and engineering, Kaner holds the Dr. Myung Ki Hong Endowed Chair in Materials Innovation.
Nanotech Energy was formed in 2014 by Kaner and Dr. Maher El-Kady, UCLA assistant researcher of chemistry and biochemistry, along with physician-entrepreneur Dr. Jack Kavanaugh, with the goal of moving their cutting-edge research on graphene-based energy storage devices from the laboratory to the marketplace.
The company’s Organolyte™ graphene-based batteries (pictured left) are considerably safer and higher performing than the industry-standard, highly-flammable lithium-ion batteries that power consumer electronics and electric vehicles, but can suddenly catch fire or explode. (This is a reason that lithium-ion batteries cannot be shipped through the U.S. mail!). The non-flammable electrolyte that provides the batteries’ safety properties was developed by Silq Technologies Corporation and exclusively licensed to Nanotech Energy. The Graphene-Organolyte™ batteries can be completely personalized to fit any form factor or container. The non-flammable batteries can be utilized to run electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and other technology and machines that will become electrified. In contrast to conventional lithium-ion batteries, Nanotech’s batteries work under extreme weather conditions whether in high heat or below freezing.
“Battery storage has yet to reach its potential -— until now,” said Kavanaugh in a press release. “Unlike traditional battery packs that pose serious fire risks, Nanotech Energy’s non-flammable lithium-ion batteries are intrinsically safe and environmentally-friendly, which we believe will inspire more industries to switch from gas to electric.”
Nanotech’s non-flammable lithium-ion batteries are set to be manufactured at a newly announced 517-acre production establishment in Storey County, Nevada, which is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.
