24 R&D trends that redefined 2024

MILTON: Disease Prediction System

• Analyzes 67 routine clinical biomarkers and 3,000 plasma proteins
• Achieved high predictability (AUC > 0.7) for 1,091 diseases
• Strong performance (AUC > 0.9) for 121 diseases in UK Biobank study of 500,000 participants

MILTON from AstraZeneca, is a machine learning tool designed to predict the likelihood of over 1,000 diseases before clinical diagnosis. It analyzes 67 routine clinical biomarkers—such as blood biochemistry, blood counts, and urine assays—and incorporates data from 3,000 plasma protein measurements. In a study involving nearly 500,000 participants from the UK Biobank, MILTON achieved high predictability for 1,091 diseases, with an area under the curve (AUC) exceeding 0.7, and exceptional performance for 121 diseases (AUC above 0.9). Milton was profiled in Nature Genetics.

In addition, described on Arxiv, IDOLpro is a generative AI tool that integrates deep diffusion models with multi-objective optimization to generate novel ligands with optimized binding affinity and synthetic accessibility.

AlphaFold 3: Multi-Molecular Prediction

• Predicts protein structures and interactions with DNA, RNA, and small molecules
• 50% improvement in accuracy for predicting molecular interactions
• Double the prediction accuracy of prior models for some categories
  
  Shown above is a structure predicted by EvoRank. Developed at the University of Texas at Austin, this AI model uses evolutionary principles to design protein-based therapies and vaccines. It helps identify useful mutations in proteins, potentially leading to more effective and less toxic treatments. This AI advance promises faster, cheaper, and more effective protein-based therapies with fewer side effects, according to researchers at UT Austin.

First successful pig kidney transplant

• 69 genomic edits to enhance compatibility
• Kidney functioned effectively for three months in patient
• Cleared major immune rejection hurdles

In March 2024, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) performed the first successful transplant of a genetically engineered pig kidney into a living human recipient. The patient, a 62-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease, had previously undergone a human kidney transplant that failed. The pig kidney was from eGenesis, a biotech specializing in xenotransplantation. The organ underwent 69 genomic edits using CRISPR-Cas9 technology post-transplant, the pig kidney began functioning immediately. While the patient passed away in May 2024 from causes unrelated to the transplant, the pig kidney continued to function without signs of rejection until his death.

BiVACOR artificial heart

• First successful human implantation in July 2024
• Uses magnetic levitation to eliminate mechanical wear

In July 2024, the first successful human implantation of the BiVACOR TAH was performed at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, Texas. The device functioned effectively for eight days, sustaining the patient until a donor heart became available. Subsequently, in August 2024, Duke University Hospital implanted the BiVACOR TAH in a 34-year-old patient, serving as a bridge to transplant.

Industrial testing begins

• Figure 02 deployed at BMW Manufacturing facility
• First real-world assembly line tasks completed
• Features speech interaction powered by custom AI models

Figure 02, a second-generation humanoid robot unveiled by Figure Inc. in August 2024, is designed for diverse tasks in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and retail. This advanced robot features speech interaction powered by custom AI models co-developed with OpenAI, and enhanced visual perception through a vision language model and six integrated cameras.

Unitree H1 sets speed records

• The Unitree H1 achieves walking speed of 3.3 meters per second
• Demonstrates stable running and jumping capabilities
• First real-world factory implementations begin

Large Model Advances

• OpenAI’s O1 models demonstrate enhanced logical reasoning
• Achieved 83% on the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), up from GPT-4’s 13%
• Claude 3.5 Sonnet increases coding success rate to 49%, up from 33%

Hardware Developments

• NVIDIA Blackwell processes 2× more tokens per second than previous generation
• Meta’s MTIA v2 chip delivers 3× performance per watt
• Combined advances enable more complex reasoning patterns in AI

Quantum computing triples error-corrected qubit record

• Created 12 logical qubits, tripling previous records
• Demonstrated increased reliability and lower error rates
• Simulated chemical reactions using two logical qubits

Logical qubits show improved reliability

• Performed fault-tolerant computations with lower error rates
• Integration with Azure Quantum Elements enhances hybrid computing

In 2024, Microsoft and Quantinuum created 12 logical qubits using Azure Quantum and Quantinuum’s H2 trapped-ion quantum computer, tripling their previous record. They demonstrated increased reliability by entangling these logical qubits and performing fault-tolerant computations with lower error rates than physical qubits. The teams also simulated a chemical reaction using two logical qubits, integrating cloud HPC and AI. It was the first such hybrid approach for a scientific problem. While not yet showing quantum advantage, the experiment underscored the potential of hybrid quantum-classical computing for chemistry and other scientific fields.

Smart spraying cuts chemical use

• Iowa State study shows 76% reduction in herbicide use
• Saved 4,700 gallons of tank mix across 415 acres
• $6,500 reduction in herbicide costs per implementation
• Shown here is a John Deere “See and Spray” system. Other companies that specialize in the technology include BASF/Bosch and Greeneye Technology.

Light Bio Firefly Petunia

• Genetically engineered petunia that emits continuous, soft green glow.
• Integrates genes from the bioluminescent mushroom Neonothopanus nambi.
• Recognized in TIME’s “Best Inventions of 2024.”

Tech company go nuclear

• Amazon and Google announce investments in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
• Google partners with Kairos Power for 500 MW by 2035
• First reactor expected operational by 2030

Data center applications

• Amazon exploring SMR projects in Virginia and Washington
• Collaboration with Dominion Energy and X-energy
• Focus on 24/7 carbon-free energy goals for data centers

The adoption of SMRs from Amazon and Google reflects the tech industry’s shift toward sustainable and reliable energy sources, moving beyond intermittent renewables like solar and wind. SMRs offer consistent power, and their smaller size allows quicker, cost-effective deployment compared to traditional nuclear reactors. This commitment to nuclear energy sets a precedent for other tech companies to meet sustainability goals.

A graphene semiconductor becomes a reality

• First functioning graphene-based semiconductor created
• Developed by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers
• Introduced a bandgap in graphene for semiconductor behavior

In January 2024, Georgia Institute of Technology researchers announced a breakthrough: the first functional graphene semiconductor. Graphene, renowned for its conductivity and strength, typically lacks the essential bandgap required for semiconductor functionality. However, the team successfully introduced a bandgap by doping epitaxial graphene grown on silicon carbide, enabling it to act as a semiconductor. This graphene semiconductor boasts high electron mobility and compatibility with existing manufacturing processes, paving the way for potentially smaller and faster electronic devices.

Superthin gold

• Single-atom-thick layer of gold synthesized
• Created by Linköping University researchers
• Exhibits semiconductor behavior with potential applications

In 2024, researchers at Linköping University in Sweden successfully synthesized “goldene,” a single-atom-thick layer of gold. This two-dimensional material exhibits unique properties distinct from bulk gold, including semiconductor behavior, which could have applications in carbon dioxide conversion, hydrogen production, and the synthesis of value-added chemicals. The synthesis of goldene was achieved using a technique inspired by traditional Japanese metalworking.

Carbon mineralization progress

• Climeworks’ Mammoth facility captures CO₂ for storage in basalt formations
• Integration with direct air capture technology
• Advances in reactors using industrial byproducts for CO₂ capture

Innovations in carbon mineralization are advancing this promising method for permanently storing CO₂. Integrating direct air capture with mineralization, Climeworks’ Mammoth facility in Iceland captures CO₂ and stores it underground in basalt formations. Researchers are also developing reactors that utilize industrial byproducts like fly ash to capture and mineralize CO₂ more efficiently. Enhanced weathering techniques, such as UNDO’s rock spreading on agricultural land, accelerate natural CO₂ sequestration.

Google’s Project Green Light

• AI optimizes traffic light timings to reduce emissions
• Deployed at over 70 intersections across 13 cities
• Reduces stops by 30% and emissions by 10%

Google’s “Project Green Light” is an initiative that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and data from Google Maps to optimize traffic light timings, aiming to reduce stop-and-go traffic and associated vehicle emissions. By analyzing traffic patterns, the project provides actionable recommendations to city traffic engineers. To date, Project Green Light has been deployed at over 70 intersections across 13 cities globally, including Rio de Janeiro, and Bangalore. Early results indicate a potential reduction of up to 30% in stops and a 10% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions at optimized intersections. In 2024, the project expanded its reach, with Seattle becoming the first U.S. city to implement the system.

Symani surgical system

• First FDA-approved robot for microsurgery
• Features wristed robotic arms with seven degrees of flexibility
• Used in over 1,000 procedures across 17 types

The Symani Surgical System, developed by Medical Microinstruments (MMI), received FDA approval in April 2024, becoming the first robot authorized for microsurgery. Its wristed robotic arms offer seven degrees of flexibility, surpassing human dexterity and minimizing tremors during delicate procedures. The system has already been used in over 1,000 procedures of 17 different types, including free flap reconstructions, lymphatic surgeries, and peripheral nerve repairs. This technology enhances precision and expands the possibilities of microsurgery.

Haptic advances

• University College London’s synthetic touch system developed
• Advanced haptic technology simulates sensation of touch
• Potential applications include surgical robotics. Also could help patients who’ve lost touch sensitivity.

Researchers at University College London developed advanced haptic technology designed to simulate the sensation of touch with high sensitivity. This system mimics human touch by stimulating skin receptors using varied vibrations, aiming to aid patients who’ve lost touch sensitivity and enhance robotic applications in areas like medical surgery and nuclear decommissioning. This bioinspired haptic (BAMH) system has potential applications in diagnosing touch loss, enhancing robotic surgery, and improving virtual interactions. The device stimulates the four main touch receptors in human skin, providing a more natural and accurate tactile experience than previous technologies.

• DALL·E 3 integration  with ChatGPT Plus and Bing Chat
• Midjourney advances in customization and realism
• Adobe Firefly’s copyright-friendly editing within Creative Cloud
• Image above is from Google’s Imagen 3

Photorealistic AI made significant leaps in 2024, impacting creative industries and prompting ethical discussions. Platforms such as Midjourney Version 6.1, Imagen 3 and DALL·E 3, refined text-to-image generation, while Midjourney and Adobe Firefly offered advanced customization and copyright-friendly editing within Creative Cloud, respectively. The film industry saw AI-driven de-aging in the movie “Here,” and AI art gained recognition with Ai-Da’s million-dollar painting sale.

AI video and image platforms both progress in 2024

• OpenAI’s Sora and RunwayML’s text-to-video models announced
• Facing controversy in early 2024, Google refined image generation with content moderation

OpenStar forges progress on a shoestring budget

• Achieved 20-second plasma at 300,000 degrees Celsius
• Nearing “first plasma” milestone with minimal investment
• Seeking Series-A funding to advance fusion technology

International fusion efforts ramp up

• U.S. DOE released decadal strategy for fusion development
• WEST tokamak maintained 50-million-degree plasma for over six minutes
• China’s investment in fusion research nearly doubles that of the U.S.

Fusion energy research witnessed significant advances in 2024. OpenStar, a New Zealand startup, achieved a 20-second plasma at 300,000 degrees Celsius with minimal investment. The image here shows Nancy Zhou, an instrumentation engineer at OpenStar, who contributes to the project. The startup has won funding — but a relatively small amount by startup standards —  in August 2023, it secured a US$6.2 million seed funding round and raised an additional US$6 million in 2024. The company is nearing its “first plasma” milestone, a crucial step toward demonstrating the viability of their fusion technology, and is seeking Series-A funding.  Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Energy released a decadal strategy to accelerate commercial fusion development. The WEST tokamak in France set a record by maintaining a 50-million-degree plasma for over six minutes, and Zap Energy secured substantial funding to advance its sheared-flow stabilized Z-pinch reactor technology.

Factory of the Future 1.0

• Massive 3D printer: 96 ft long, 32 ft wide, 18 ft high
• Prints at 500 pounds per hour
• Could print a 600-square-foot house in under 80 hours

The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center unveiled Factory of the Future 1.0 (FoF 1.0) in April 2024, a massive thermoplastic polymer 3D printer that sets a new world record, surpassing the university’s previous Guinness World Record set in 2019 for the largest prototype polymer 3D printer. With a build volume of 96 feet long, 32 feet wide, and 18 feet high, and a printing speed of 500 pounds per hour, FoF 1.0 integrates additive and subtractive manufacturing, continuous tape layup, and robotic arm operations.

Advanced manufacturing systems

• Divergent’s AI-driven design and assembly system
• Collaborated with Bugatti and McLaren in 2024
• Optimizes designs, reduces material waste, and increases flexibility

Divergent Technologies’ DAPS (Divergent Adaptive Production System) made strides in automotive manufacturing in 2024. This end-to-end digital platform combines AI-driven generative design, additive manufacturing, and automated assembly to create complex structures with optimized efficiency. The system gained notable traction through high-profile partnerships, collaborating with Bugatti in June to produce chassis and suspension components for the Tourbillon hypercar, leveraging DAPS for weight reduction and performance gains.

Onward Medical ARC-EX

• Non-invasive therapy enhances upper limb function
• 72% of participants showed significant improvements
• 87% reported quality of life improvement
• In spring, Onward submitted movement-restoring spinal cord stim tech to FDA

The ARC-EX system by Onward Medical is a non-invasive therapy designed to improve upper limb function in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It delivers targeted, programmed electrical stimulation to the spinal cord through external electrodes. In the Up-LIFT pivotal trial involving 65 participants with chronic tetraplegia, ARC-EX therapy resulted in significant improvements, with 72% of participants showing enhanced strength and function.

Clinical advances

• Up-LIFT trial involved 65 participants with chronic tetraplegia
• Targeted electrical stimulation delivered through external electrodes
• Results published in Nature Medicine, May 2024

In addition, researchers at Mayo Clinic conducted a phase 1 clinical trial assessing the safety and potential benefits of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for patients with subacute and chronic SCI. The study demonstrated that the therapy is safe and may offer benefits, with seven out of ten participants showing improvement. The results were published in Nature Communications in May 2024.

As for Onward Medical, the company also announced the third successful implant of its ARC-BCI brain-computer interface (shown below) in September.

ASML High-NA EUV lithography

• Increased numerical aperture to 0.55
• TWINSCAN EXE:5000 achieves 8 nm resolution
• Prints features 1.7× smaller than previous systems

ASML’s new TWINSCAN EXE:5000 lithography system prints transistors at 8 nm resolution, 1.7 times smaller than previous systems. The machine achieves this by increasing its light-gathering capacity (numerical aperture) from 0.33 to 0.55, letting chipmakers pack 2.9 times more transistors into the same area. This jump in precision, from collecting 33% of available light to 55%, marks the first major upgrade to ASML’s extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology since its introduction.

Chiplet technology matures

• Adopted by AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and Samsung
• Highlighted at the Design Automation Conference 2024
• Recognized in MIT Technology Review’s top 10 breakthroughs of the year

Chiplet technology, which involves assembling smaller semiconductor dies into a single integrated circuit, has gained significant traction. Major companies like AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and Samsung have adopted this approach to enhance performance and flexibility in chip design. Shown above is the first fully integrated Optical I/O Chiplet from Intel.

Meta’s Orion prototype

• Augmented reality glasses featuring holographic display technology
• Overlays 2D and 3D content in real-world environments
• Integrates AI for content analysis and proactive suggestions

In 2024, Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a prototype for augmented reality glasses named Orion. These glasses feature holographic displays capable of overlaying 2D and 3D content on the real world. AI integration allows the glasses to analyze content and offer proactive suggestions. It hails Orion as its most advanced augmented reality (AR) glasses to date. Orion combines the appearance of regular glasses with immersive AR capabilities, including holographic displays and contextual AI. These glasses allow users to interact with digital content overlaid onto the real world, enabling hands-free communication and access to information.

Apple Vision Pro

• First-generation spatial computing device announced in February 2024
• Features M2 chip with dual 4K micro-OLED displays
• Advanced eye and hand tracking technologies

In 2024, Apple debuted the Vision Pro, its inaugural spatial computing headset, in February 2024. The device utilizes the M2 chip for processing power and boasts dual 4K micro-OLED displays for immersive visuals. Advanced eye and hand tracking technology enables intuitive interaction with the virtual environment. Initial applications focus on entertainment and productivity. A second-generation Vision Pro is reportedly under development. This next iteration is rumored to incorporate the more powerful M5 chip for a substantial performance boost. The current Vision Pro’s high price point has limited its adoption. Future versions may address this with more affordable options, expanding the potential user base. Software updates, like visionOS 2.2 with its expanded display options, aim to enhance functionality and user experience.

Low-cost iron chloride battery

Hailong Chen and Zhantao Liu present a new, low-cost cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Photo by Jerry Grillo.

• Georgia Tech develops iron chloride cathode
• Costs only 1-2% of traditional cathode materials
• Maintains equivalent energy storage capacity

Researchers at Georgia Tech have introduced an iron chloride (FeCl₃) cathode for lithium-ion batteries, costing only 1-2% of traditional cathode materials like nickel and cobalt. Despite the lower cost, the FeCl₃ cathode can store an equivalent amount of energy. Implementing this cathode could significantly decrease the overall cost of batteries, making electric vehicles more affordable. The technology also offers promise for large-scale energy storage by reducing battery costs and improving performance.

LFP battery progress

[Wikipedia]

• Cost reductions to below $98.50 per kWh achieved in 2024
• Adopted by major automakers including Ford, Rivian, GM, and Tesla
• Over 50% market share in Chinese EV battery market

2024 marked a transformative year for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology in the electric vehicle industry. Major automakers including Ford, Rivian, GM, and Tesla significantly expanded their adoption of LFP batteries, driven by dramatic cost reductions to below $98.50 per kWh. The technology achieved breakthroughs in energy density and temperature tolerance through innovations like multi-layer electrodes, while maintaining its advantages in safety and thermal stability.

Guardian Agriculture SC1

• First FAA-authorized eVTOL for commercial use nationwide
• 200-pound payload capacity for agricultural spraying
• Covers approximately 60 acres per hour

The Guardian Agriculture SC1, the first FAA-authorized eVTOL for commercial use nationwide, offers a new approach to agricultural spraying. This autonomous electric aircraft boasts a 200-pound payload capacity for fertilizers or pesticides, covering approximately 60 acres per hour. Measuring 12 feet by 12 feet with four 6-foot propellers and an 18-foot spray boom, the SC1 utilizes a 30-gallon-per-minute pump and a purpose-built battery for agricultural operations. Its fully autonomous operation allows for efficient and sustainable crop spraying compared to traditional methods. It was deployed commercially in California’s Salinas Valley starting in late 2023.

Flying taxi progress

• Archer Aviation secures major Japanese order for Midnight eVTOL
• Joby Aviation conducts successful piloted test flights in Japan
• FAA issues operational guidelines and pilot certification standards

2024 marked significant progress for piloted electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, or flying taxis. The FAA issued operational guidelines and pilot certification standards, officially recognizing them as a new aircraft category. Industry leaders like Archer Aviation secured a major order for their Midnight eVTOL from a Japanese venture consisting of Japan Airlines and Sumitomo (see pic), while Joby Aviation, partnering with Toyota, successfully conducted a piloted test flight in Japan.

Perovskite-silicon progress

• Record efficiency of 33.9% achieved in 2023
• Surpassed Shockley-Queisser limit for silicon-based cells
• Breakthroughs in stability and large-scale production

A new tandem solar cell combining perovskite and silicon layers has reached 33.89% efficiency, breaking through a theoretical barrier that’s stood for decades. The design, reported in Nature, stacks a perovskite layer that captures high-energy light on top of a silicon layer that absorbs the rest. The key advance came from adding an ultrathin layer of lithium fluoride between the layers, which stopped electrons from getting trapped at the interface. This pushed the cell’s efficiency past the 33.7% Shockley-Queisser limit —  a ceiling that scientists once thought fundamental to single-junction solar cells. The work, led by researchers at LONGi and Soochow University, achieved this record on practical silicon cells, suggesting a path to commercial production.

Solar cells that flex

[RIKEN]

• RIKEN develops stretchable solar cell maintaining efficiency when stretched by up to 50%
• MIT develops foldable crystalline silicon wafers for enhanced flexibility
• Potential applications in wearable electronics 

NVIDIA Blackwell architecture launched

• 208 billion transistors across two dies
• 2.5× improvement in AI training performance
• 5× improvement in AI inference
• 25× greater energy efficiency

NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture, introduced in March 2024, marks a significant advance in GPU technology, succeeding the Hopper architecture. Each Blackwell GPU comprises two dies connected by a 10 terabytes per second (TB/s) interconnect, resulting in a unified GPU with 208 billion transistors. The architecture employs High-Bandwidth Memory 3e (HBM3e) and features the fifth-generation NVLink interconnect, enabling scalability up to 576 GPUs for large-scale AI models. Notably, Blackwell introduces Trusted Execution Environment for Input/Output (TEE-I/O).

Meta in AI chip fray

• MTIA v2 chip launched across data centers
• 3× performance increase over predecessor
• 1.5× better performance per watt
• Uses TSMC’s 5-nanometer technology

Meta has rolled out the MTIA v2 chip across its data centers to support complex AI applications like content ranking and recommendations for Facebook and Instagram. Built using 5-nanometer technology from TSMC, the MTIA v2 boosts compute and memory bandwidth, achieving three times the performance of the original MTIA. The chip also improves energy efficiency, offering 1.5 times better performance per watt. The MTIA v2’s deployment across 16 data center regions enables Meta to scale its AI processing needs independently, reducing reliance on third-party GPU providers while optimizing performance for high-demand tasks.

Tirzepatide shows promise in heart failure

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) reduces heart failure outcomes by 38%
• Mean weight loss of 15.7% over 52 weeks
• The dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist showing benefits in heart failure and obesity.

Tirzepatide, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, has demonstrated significant therapeutic benefits for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. In the Phase 3 SUMMIT trial, tirzepatide reduced the risk of heart failure outcomes—including urgent heart failure visits, hospitalizations, oral diuretic intensification, or cardiovascular death—by 38% compared to placebo. In addition, the therapy appears to cut the diabetes risk of patients living with obesity who have not yet developed that metabolic disorder.

In SUMMIT, patients treated with tirzepatide experienced substantial weight loss, with a mean reduction of 15.7% in body weight over 52 weeks, compared to 2.2% in the placebo group. This dual effect addresses both heart failure symptoms and obesity, conditions that often coexist and exacerbate each other.

Chevrolet Equinox EV

• Starting price around $30,000
• Offers a 250-mile range
• Makes EVs more accessible to mainstream consumers

2024 saw several automakers expand EV accessibility with more affordable models. Chevrolet launched the Equinox EV, a compact SUV starting around $30,000 with a 250-mile range (shown here with upgrades bringing the price to over $40k). Nissan continued to offer the Leaf, with a starting price of $29,235 and a 149-mile range, maintaining its position as a budget-friendly option. Volkswagen’s 2024 ID.4, starting at $39,735 but effectively priced at $32,235 after the federal tax credit, offers a range between 206 and 291 miles. Similarly, the Kia Niro EV, starting at $39,600, provides a 253-mile range.

Other affordable EVs

• Nissan Leaf continues at $29,235 with a 149-mile range
• Volkswagen ID.4 effectively priced at $32,235 after tax credit
• Kia Niro EV starting at $39,600 with a 253-mile range

View of the Equinox EV dash

QuantumScape achieves milestones

• Achieved over 800 Wh/L energy density
• Sub-15-minute fast-charging capabilities demonstrated
• Shipped Alpha-2 prototype cells to automotive partners

In 2024, QuantumScape shipped Alpha-2 prototype cells to automotive partners in March and began low-volume production of B-samples by October, showcasing energy densities over 800 Wh/L and impressive sub-15-minute fast-charging capabilities. A key partnership with Volkswagen’s PowerCo, finalized in July, secured a licensing agreement for large-scale production of up to 40 GWh of QuantumScape’s cells annually, potentially doubling to 80 GWh. Critically, PowerCo validated the cells’ performance, confirming they exceeded expectations in A-sample tests for energy density, fast charging, and cycle life, paving the way for their integration into electric vehicles.

Factorial energy solid-state batteries

• Developed 100-Ah solid-state lithium-metal batteries.
• Delivered B-samples for validation to partners like Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis.
• The batteries have received safety certifications.

Factorial Energy has developed 100-Ah solid-state lithium-metal batteries and delivered B-samples for validation to automotive partners like Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis. Shown here is the Solstice, an all-solid-state battery. The batteries have received safety certifications and are being integrated into demonstration fleets. Solid-state technology promises higher energy density, enhanced safety, and better performance over traditional batteries.

In related news, Natron Energy is constructing the first U.S. sodium-ion battery gigafactory in North Carolina, aiming to produce 24 GWh of batteries annually. Sodium-ion batteries use abundant materials like sodium, iron, and manganese, reducing reliance on scarce elements like lithium and cobalt. They are non-flammable, offering improved safety. Applications include backup power systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and grid energy storage.