DETROIT – NextEnergy has awarded a $35,000 Michigan Accelerating Technology (MATch) Energy Grant to University of Michigan Professor Jeff Sakamoto for development of an ultra-high energy, safe, low-cost, solid-state electrolyte technology for energy storage.
The new technology will be used in an all solid-state rechargeable battery, resulting in higher vehicle range and miles per charge and paving the way for the next-generation of electric vehicle batteries. It will also enhance safety from vehicle fires and lower cost.
?I am sincerely grateful for funds available through the MATch Energy Grant and the support of NextEnergy,? said Sakamoto. ?The MATch Energy Grant strengthens Michigan?s potential for advanced energy innovation, providing the critical funding that will fuel the future of Michigan?s economic landscape.?
NextEnergy?s MATch Energy Grant program, launched in December 2012 with funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), provides matching and commercialization funds to eligible Michigan businesses and universities applying for federal funding in the area of advanced energy and transportation technologies. The program also supports Michigan companies and universities by advising them during the application phase, matchmaking for teams, and providing commercialization services after funding is secured.
Sakamoto received federal grant funds from the Advanced Research Projects Agency ? Energy (ARPA-E) of the Department of Energy for their Robust Affordable Next-Generation Electric Vehicle Storage (RANGE) program. By partnering with NextEnergy, Sakamoto received $35,000 in matching funds for the project?s federally-mandated cost-share, with additional funds available upon the completion of commercialization milestones. More recently, Sakamoto received funding from the Department of Energy?s Vehicle Technology Office as the Primary Investigator (PI) on a related membrane technology for Li-sulfur and Li-metal batteries. The federal awards and recognition place Sakamoto as one of the top battery innovators in the country.
?We are pleased to present our second MATch Energy Grant to Jeff Sakamoto for his innovative work in solid-state energy storage technology,? said President and CEO of NextEnergy, Jean Redfield. ?This project has the potential to drastically improve electric vehicle batteries, extending vehicle range and ultimately ensuring electric vehicles are a viable option for the average American. We?re thrilled to have the opportunity to support this work.?
The MATch Energy Grant program leverages public and private resources as an incentive to drive increased federal support of Michigan University and small companies developing energy and transportation technologies. Matching funds support the commercialization process for applied research projects and help to transform federal programs into job growth for the state of Michigan.
Sakamoto partnered on the ARPA-E project with Solid Power LLC, a company located in Boulder, Colorado. NextEnergy helped keep the Intellectual Property of the project within the state of Michigan by advising him throughout the negotiation process.
NextEnergy?s first MATch funded project, Grid Logic Inc. of Lapeer, Michigan, develops and manufactures power distribution, generation and storage solutions for electric utility and military applications. They have created three jobs since winning the initial MATch funds, and have successfully completed ARPA-E technical and commercialization milestones since winning the program.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently awarded NextEnergy an $800,000 two-year extension for the MATch Energy Grant program beginning in April 2015.
?We are continuing to build and support a robust toolbox of opportunities for Michigan?s businesses, like the successful MATch program,? said CEO and President of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michael A. Finney. ?The advanced energy sector is growing in Michigan, and we?re pleased to work with partners like NextEnergy to do all we can in helping businesses maximize their opportunities in this area.?
