ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan spin-out, Sakti3, has been acquired by vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson, which plans to incorporate its solid-state Lithium-ion technology to improved battery life on its cordless vacuums – plus deliver new products and build a battery production plant. The deal was reported to be worth $90 million.
Dyson founder James Dyson told USA TODAY this week that Dyson will build $1 billion battery factory around Sakti3 technology. Dyson added the U.S. is an option – including Michigan. Satkti3 is based in Ann Arbor.
Entering the realm of advanced battery production for electric vehicles would put the U.K. company in direct competition with the likes of Silicon Valley’s Tesla Motors, Panasonic and LG Chem. Tesla is currently building a massive factory in Reno, Nev., in conjunction with Panasonic to provide battery packs for its electric cars and stationary electrical storage units.
Sakti3 CEO Ann Marie Sastry will lead development of her technology as an executive for Dyson, USA TODAY reported.
“We are very fortunate indeed to join and become a contributor to not only Dyson, but hopefully help get solid-state battery technology out into commercial products much, much more quickly and efficiently,” Sastry, a former University of Michigan engineering professor who told USA TODAY in an email.
Sastry did not respond to requests for an interview from MITechNews.Com. Nor did Ken Nesbitt, U-M Associate Vice President for Research – Technology Transfer.
Dyson and Sastry wouldn’t address speculation on whether Sakti3’s technology could still make its way into electric vehicles. Sakti3 garnered attention in 2014 when it claimed that its batteries were nearly twice as effective as the batteries in Tesla’s cars. Early investors in Sakti3 include General Motors and Khosta Ventures. Dyson itself had already invested $15 million in Sakti3.
