NanoGraf's R&D facility in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood. Courtesy of NanoGraf.
Battery material startup NanoGraf is one step closer to delivering more powerful batteries to the U.S. military.
The news: NanoGraf, which is building lighter and longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries, said this week it received an initial production order from aerospace and defense technology contractors to produce batteries for the U.S. military.
NanoGraf’s silicon anode technology will power hand-held radios for U.S. soldiers, which will now last up to 15% longer compared to what’s currently used, the company said.
Deal details: Earlier this year, NanoGraf landed a new contract with the U.S. Army worth up to $15 million to develop batteries for soldiers in the battlefield. In total, the startup has received $45 million from the U.S. Department of Defense since it launched.
Other backers: NanoGraf’s venture investors include TechNexus, Volta Energy Technologies, CC Industries, Hyde Park Angels and others. The startup raised a $65 million Series B round in February.
More moves: NanoGraf announced a new 67,850-square-foot manufacturing facility in March, and in June it completed its first large volume production run for the military. NanoGraf was also named as one of Chicago Inno’s Fire Award winners.
NanoGraf, a spinout of Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory, also works with companies ranging from consumer electronics to power tools.
They said it: “NanoGraf has assumed a critical role in onshoring the battery supply chain, and is helping us work toward the goal that America will be at the forefront of battery innovation,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said in a statement.