Showing posts with label Forge Nano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forge Nano. Show all posts

Friday, November 17, 2023

Forge Nano Unveils Plans for U.S.-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Gigafactory in North Carolina, Set to Launch in 2026

Forge Nano, Inc. has announced its venture into lithium-ion battery manufacturing with the creation of Forge Battery. The company plans to establish a Gigafactory in Raleigh, North Carolina, targeting defense, aerospace, and specialty electric vehicle markets. With an initial investment of over $165M, the facility, operational by 2026, will produce batteries utilizing Forge Nano’s Atomic Armor surface technology, enhancing energy density, safety, and lifespan. 

This technology is expected to surpass existing lithium-ion cells in performance. The North Carolina facility, benefiting from state incentives and a Job Development Investment Grant, promises significant economic benefits, including hundreds of high-paying jobs and substantial tax revenue to support local communities. The groundbreaking event is scheduled for the first half of 2024.



  • Forge Nano has raised $81.54M over 10 rounds.
  • Forge Nano's latest funding round was a Series C for on May 30, 2023.

Source:

Forge Nano to Launch U.S Battery Manufacturing Business; North Carolina Gigafactory Planned for 2026 - Forge Nano

Forge Nano Stock Price, Funding, Valuation, Revenue & Financial Statements (cbinsights.com)

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Forge Nano and KULR Partner for Cutting-Edge Battery Safety & Performance

In a significant move to enhance battery safety and efficiency, KULR Technology Group, a key player in sustainable energy management, has formed a strategic partnership with Forge Nano, renowned for its precision nanocoating technology. This alliance, estimated to be worth between $3.5 million to $5 million, will amalgamate KULR ONE Design Solutions - which offers advanced battery cell screening - with Forge Nano’s Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coating technique.


The collaboration begins with an assessment of Forge Nano’s elite battery cells intended for space and the US Department of Defense (DoD). KULR's innovative automated cell screening will be instrumental in gauging various battery cell parameters, ensuring they adhere to stringent NASA flight specifications.

In light of the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy about a second tranche of $3 billion funding for battery production and recycling, this partnership positions itself as a catalyst in setting new benchmarks in battery safety and performance. 

Forge Nano, after securing $50 million earlier this year, has been aggressively investing in augmenting its battery production capacities. While KULR, with its expansive market presence in diverse sectors, sees this collaboration as a strategic alignment towards advancing the future of energy storage.

Source: Forge Nano and KULR Form a Strategic Partnership for Enhanced Battery Safety and Performance - Forge Nano

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

6K Energy Partners with Forge Nano to Revolutionize Battery Material Production

6K Energy, a trailblazer in sustainable battery material production, has joined forces with Forge Nano to introduce cutting-edge Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technology for commercial-scale production of NMC 811 cathodes. This collaboration aims to transform the battery industry by enhancing performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.


Forge Nano, known for its precision nano-coating technology, and 6K Energy are set to redefine battery material production. By integrating Forge Nano's proprietary Atomic Armor™ surface technology into 6K Energy's process, the partnership promises unparalleled advancements.

Atomic Armor employs ALD coatings with unprecedented precision and speed. This method enhances battery materials, resulting in superior capacity, safety, charging rates, and cost-efficiency. Combining Forge Nano's Atomic Armor with 6K Energy's innovative UniMelt® materials production process is expected to yield high-performance and cost-effective battery materials.

Dr. Richard Holman, Senior VP of Battery Products at 6K Energy, emphasizes the impact of the collaboration, stating, "Leveraging Forge Nano's Atomic Armor platform provides us with a coating technology that meets the stringent specifications of our lithium-ion battery materials."

6K Energy's mission to produce domestically sourced battery materials for electric vehicles and renewable energy is greatly amplified by this collaboration. As the demand for advanced battery technologies grows, strategic partnerships like this one are poised to drive sustainable and high-performance solutions.

About 6K:

6K is a sustainability-driven company offering innovative solutions across industries. Their UniMelt® microwave plasma production system transforms materials into groundbreaking products. The company's 6,000-degree philosophy signifies both the operational temperature of UniMelt and the sun's surface temperature. 6K Energy, a division focused on domestically sourced battery materials, accelerates the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy.

For more information, visit www.6Kinc.com.

6K Energy to Implement Forge Nano Equipment for Commercial Production of NMC 811 - Forge Nano

Friday, August 25, 2023

TRION Battery and Forge Nano Partner to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery ALD Tech

TRION Battery Technologies and Forge Nano have teamed up to revolutionize lithium-ion battery performance. This strategic partnership combines Forge Nano's Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coating technology with TRION's innovative SX-silicon materials to enhance batteries for aerospace, defense, and other high-demand markets.

TRION Battery Technologies and Forge Nano have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop lithium-ion battery solutions. This collaboration marks the beginning of a journey toward improved battery performance.

Forge Nano's ALD material coatings have shown significant improvements on various battery electrode materials. The partnership aims to achieve similar breakthroughs by combining these coatings with TRION's SX-silicon materials. TRION's SX-silicon has successfully overcome challenges associated with silicon use in batteries, achieving impressive milestones.

This partnership caters to demanding markets like defense, aerospace, and electric mobility. As batteries become vital in these sectors, the collaboration promises to showcase the strengths of both technologies.

The partnership accelerates TRION's SX-silicon commercialization strategy, reinforcing its value proposition to cell manufacturers. Forge Nano sees the partnership as aligning with their target markets and aims to establish a strong US supply chain.

The MoU outlines joint testing of ALD coatings on TRION's SX-silicon. The partnership aims to extend battery life, improve energy density, and enhance overall safety and efficiency in lithium-ion batteries.

TRION Battery and Forge Nano's partnership is set to reshape lithium-ion battery technology. By combining their expertise and materials, they're on a path to enhance battery capabilities for critical industries. This collaboration demonstrates the potential of synergy in driving technological advancement


TRION Battery Technologies and Forge Nano are poised to revolutionize lithium-ion battery safety and performance through their strategic collaboration. Integrating Forge Nano's advanced Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technology, known as Atomic Armor®, with TRION's innovative SX-silicon materials, the partnership aims to enhance battery capabilities for aerospace, defense, and beyond. By creating protective ALD coatings on electrode surfaces, they prevent degradation, improve heat dissipation, and mitigate reactivity during thermal runaway. This innovative approach not only promises higher performance but also addresses critical safety concerns, solidifying their position as pioneers in the realm of advanced battery technology.




Wednesday, June 7, 2023

US company Forge Nano raised US$50 M with Korea's Hanwha Corporate Venture Capital for Battery Pilot Line

US company Forge Nano has successfully raised over $50 million in its recent funding round, with Korea's Hanwha Corporate Venture Capital leading the investment. Other participants included Orion Infrastructure Capital, Catalus Capital, Ascent Funds, and existing investors. This funding brings Forge Nano's total capital raised to date to over $95 million.


The funds will enable Forge Nano to seize the growing opportunities in commercial-scale nanotechnology for battery materials and establish a battery production line capable of meeting the demand for premium batteries. The company plans to commence construction of a pilot battery production line in the second quarter of 2023, catering to various industries such as aerospace, consumer electronics, and defense.

Forge Nano's proprietary technology, known as Atomic Armor, is widely employed in battery applications for vehicles, aerospace, consumer electronics, defense, and other high-end Li-ion users. With this new funding, Forge Nano aims to further develop and scale its Atomic Armor technology within the lithium-ion market, enabling the company to offer finished battery solutions at scale.

The funding will also enhance Forge Nano's capabilities in applying Atomic Armor across different industries. By expanding its manufacturing footprint and allocating more resources to customer support, the company expects to increase its production capacity fivefold while improving tool production efficiency through the integration of digital management infrastructure.

Forge Nano has recently formed strategic partnerships with prominent U.S. material producers and battery off-takers, highlighting the capabilities of its proprietary nanocoating technology, Atomic Armor. These partnerships aim to develop next-generation batteries and strengthen the U.S. domestic battery supply chain. For instance, Forge Nano's collaboration with Anovion, a U.S.-based battery material producer, combines Forge Nano's surface engineering expertise with Anovion's synthetic graphite to create industry-leading lithium-ion batteries.

The company foresees substantial revenue growth in 2023 and expects to double its revenue once again through increasing market adoption. Forge Nano's Atomic Armor technology empowers manufacturers to engineer materials at the atomic level, optimizing battery characteristics such as range, safety, and cycle life. With a team of experienced scientists and a broad portfolio of commercial partners, Forge Nano offers tailored solutions across the entire spectrum, from small-scale research and development to large-scale, high-volume production.

Source:

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Forge Nano Partners with Aleon Renewable Metals for Battery Recycling and Supply of ALD Materials for EV Batteries

DENVER , May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Forge Nano, a global leader in surface engineering and precision nano-coating technology, and Aleon Renewable Metals (ARM), an integrated lithium-ion battery recycler, announced a partnership today for battery recycling and supply of battery materials. Aleon Renewable Metals will recycle Forge Nano's battery scrap at its industry-leading battery recycling facilities in Texas and Oklahoma utilizing Forge Nano's technology to manufacture cathode active materials (CAM) from the battery grade materials produced by ARM. These facilities aim to make battery recycling easier and more cost effective while outputting leading CAMs made in the U.S. using Forge Nano's proprietary Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coating technology, Atomic Armor™. Batteries made with Atomic Armor are optimized to be longer-lasting and safer than current batteries on the market. ARM's facility is expected to annually produce battery grade materials equivalent to 35 GWh of renewable power.


Approximately three billion batteries are thrown away every year in America alone, posing environmental and economical threats far beyond the lifetime of the battery itself. Until now, few companies have addressed the challenges of recycling lithium-ion battery materials. Together, Forge Nano and Aleon are bringing over four decades of combined experience aiming to make E-waste a thing of the past with a 100% renewable energy process.

"In partnership with Aleon Renewable Metals, our technology will be used to provide sustainable and significant cost and performance advantages over competing recyclers making CAMs," said James Trevey , CTO, Forge Nano. "With the cost and performance benefits enabled by Atomic Armor, implementation of this U.S.-born nano-coating technology into the battery-recycling loop embodies the leapfrog improvement in technological advancement everyone has been waiting for in the lithium-ion battery industry."

"We are dedicated to driving sustainability and innovation. Aleon Renewable Metals leverages our proprietary recycling technologies to support the global transition to circular supply chains and cleaner energy. Our high-purity, cost-competitive battery grade materials are positioned to meet the growing domestic demands of the EV market for metal sulfates and lithium compounds used in high-performance cathodes," said Tarun Bhatt , CEO of Aleon Renewable Metals. "With our experience in metal recovery and commitment to sustainable solutions, we are excited to partner with Forge Nano to develop downstream cathode active materials. Together, we will address the projected lithium, nickel, and cobalt supply/demand deficits to create a more attractive environment for sustainable energy production."

As active members of NAATBatt and the MPSC , both companies have demonstrated their dedication to a sustainable battery ecosystem, and their commitment to making a difference in the battery waste problem. This exciting partnership will bring together two world-renowned battery powerhouses in the hopes of taking battery recycling technology to the next level.

"Particle coatings in the field of battery technology are an enabler to excel in the marketplace, which Forge Nano is doing as the global leader in ALD methods to achieve the essential coating characteristics," said Bob Galyen , energy storage technology expert and chairman of Galyen Energy. "The U.S. battery supply chain depends on this kind of innovation to compete on the world stage."

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Ascent Funds Invests in Forge Nano Atomic Armor for Lithium-Ion Batteries & Hydrogen Fuel Cells

September 13, 2022; Miami, USA: Ascent Funds (“Ascent”), an energy-tech venture company today announced it has invested in Forge Nano Inc (“Forge Nano”), inventor of nanocoating technology Atomic Armor, which coats a protective atomic layer on a wide range of materials, powders and products to deliver greater performance for a lower cost. Forge Nano is preparing to build a US$120 million 500MWh Atomic Armor battery facility in Denver, Colorado which will deliver some of the most efficient and longest lasting batteries in the world.




Batteries that have Atomic Armor; last 100% longer, charge 300% faster

Forge Nano is the global leader in scalable atomic layer deposition (“ALD”), a unique coating technology that produces a protective atomic layer on a range of materials, powders, and products providing greater protection, performance, durability and safety.

Invented in the 1960s, ALD is mainly used in the semiconductor and OLED industries with the technology commonly found in many mobile phone components. Since 2011, Forge Nano has developed a proprietary ALD process that allows for four times faster coating speeds than any other semiconductor ALD tool provider and enables scale for use on powders and larger surface area objects, such as; lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, consumer, sporting and apparel products. Forge Nano calls their ALD coating Atomic Armor.

Atomic Armor works especially well for battery materials, where it stabilizes the surfaces at the atomic level. These coatings prevent excessive wear and damage to the batteries by preventing unwanted reactions among the battery’s internal components. Batteries that have Atomic Armor last 100% longer, charge 300% faster, and dissipate heat more effectively.

Over the past decade, Forge Nano has emerged as a market leader in large-scale ALD. In 2021, Forge Nano announced the world’s first ALD enabled battery for space, with the launching of a high energy lithium-ion battery into orbit aboard the SpaceX Transporter-2 rideshare mission. The Li-ion batteries, featuring Forge Nano Particle ALD technology and Enersys Zero Volt Technology were integrated into spire Global, Inc’s LEMUR-2 satellite.

Atomic Armor can improve performance in hydrogen fuel cells, electrolyzers and storage

Since 2019, Forge Nano has collaborated with the U.S Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Colorado School of Mines and Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy Systems in Germany to accelerate the development of more efficient component parts for hydrogen fuel cells, electrolyzers and hydrogen storage technology. In the hydrogen value chain, Forge Nano’s Atomic Armor can transition fuel cells away from low-scale, costly electrode fabrications while increasing durability and limiting the use of platinum group metals. This reduces both the cost of the fuel cell as well as the technology’s dependence on expensive metals.

Mr David Wu, President of Ascent Funds said, “At Ascent, we look for transformational technology that can have an immediate and profound impact on the energy transition, especially in the hydrogen ecosystem. With over a decade’s experience in enhancing lithium-ion batteries and other materials, Forge Nano is the only commercially large-scale ALD player that can offer a real step-change in productivity, performance and cost for hydrogen companies. For example, instead of using expensive platinum or titanium catalysts, fuel cells could use low cost metal catalysts coated with atomic armor. Until now, atomic armor for hydrogen technology was a theoretical ambition because it couldn’t be scaled – today, atomic armor is a reality’.

Mr. Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge Nano, said: “We are excited to have Ascent join us as investors and advisors. They have a strong track record in identifying game changing technologies and helping those companies to scale and commercialize. In addition, Ascent’s knowledge and experience across the global hydrogen industry will be paramount as our technology becomes an accelerant in the energy transition, particularly for mobility, be it BEV or FCEV.”

Ascent joins existing shareholders Volkswagens, LG Chem, Air-Liquide, Mitsui Kinzoku, Sumitomo and SCG from Thailand.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

How Forge Nano is Engineering the Future, One Atom at a Time

Utilizing proprietary nano-coating technology, Forge Nano is able to fundamentally improve nearly any material on earth at the atomic level.

THORNTON, Colo., June 23, 2022 (Newswire.com) – Forge Nano, leaders in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology and equipment, are working to unlock the next generation of materials science. Through a full product line of ALD equipment addressing large scale manufacturing all the way down to fundamental R&D, Forge Nano has developed nano-coating solutions that are cost-effective, and can improve nearly any product from the atoms up.

“For decades, ALD has been relegated to bench-top exercises and the world of peer-reviewed articles,” says James Trevey, Ph.D., CTO of Forge Nano. “It’s like we’re selling wireless internet in a world of Cat 5 ethernet cables. ALD delivers greater performance for a lower cost than incumbent technology for nearly any application, and now we have brought this technology to the commercial environment at true manufacturing scale.”


Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a surface engineering technique whereby an extremely thin coating (as thin as a single layer of atoms) is applied to a wide range of materials, powders, or objects. This process can be repeated to build up multiple layers on nearly any surface, producing robust coatings that can be engineered to enhance or add to the characteristics of the material being coated.

Conventional coating techniques such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) have been the standard techniques used in many industries in the past, but as ALD is now available for any material at commercial scale, their time is limited. Forge Nano’s team of scientists and engineers have developed a line of ALD tools that make the technology cost-effective and practical to apply in small-scale lab environments all the way up to full-scale commercial manufacturing settings. Case in point – Forge Nano has already demonstrated commercial success in many markets, including batteries, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.

Batteries – Making better, longer lasting, safer batteries

Forge Nano ALD coatings have been demonstrated to improve energy density, lifetime, safety, and cost of batteries. In an electric vehicle these benefits would translate to a lower cost, longer range, faster-than-fuel recharge times, and an EV battery that can last for at least 20 years and is better suited for recycling than current EV batteries. Forge Nano’s ALD techniques have also been shown to be more cost effective, more efficient, more precise, and more environmentally friendly than batteries made with other coating techniques.

Pharmaceuticals – Imagine controlled, single-dose, temperature-stable vaccines that can be effectively distributed around the globe without the fear of spoilage.

Forge Nano ALD coatings have been used by pharmaceutical companies to apply various characteristics to medications or vaccines. ALD coatings can make a vaccine thermostable, eliminating the need for refrigeration. Time release properties can be applied as well, allowing multiple doses to be combined into a single treatment or injection. This can make the medication or vaccine easier to distribute to rural areas and eliminates the need for additional doses or boosters.

Semiconductors – Optimizing Next-Gen devices at the atomic scale.

Forge Nano ALD coatings can be applied to semiconductor wafers and components to create hermetic, pin-hole free, low stress thin films that offer excellent uniformity and precision required by semiconductor manufacturers. In addition to producing superior coatings, Forge Nano tools can produce ALD coatings faster and more efficiently than anyone else, making Forge-enabled semiconductors

Thanks to the scalability of Forge Nano’s extensive research and development, ALD technology that was once thought of as too expensive is now accessible and practical even at the smallest of scales. Forge Nano is using its manufacturing expertise to provide R&D equipment to universities, national labs, and centers of excellence, establishing ALD as a viable commercial pathway for materials science researchers. This is contrasted by the many companies Forge Nano has worked with to integrate ALD into their manufacturing processes, installing high-volume equipment capable of coating enormous amounts of materials, powders or objects.

For those not ready to make the investment in Forge Nano’s ALD equipment, R&D and toll coating services are available as well. Forge Nano offers their world-class ALD technical team to develop coating solutions and run proof of concept tests. Forge Nano is also uniquely equipped to offer toll coating services, where an organization may entrust Forge Nano to produce the ALD coatings with their in-house equipment.

To find out more about Forge Nano’s proprietary atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes and equipment, visit ForgeNano.com.

Friday, October 8, 2021

Forge Nano Installs Prometheus™ Powder Atomic Layer Deposition (PALD) equipment at Air Liquide's Tokyo Innovation Campus

Forge Nano, a global leader in surface engineering with atomic layer deposition (ALD) sells the top-of-the-line Prometheus™ development system. Air Liquide is using the system to validate applications for ALD-enabled powders in Japan and Globally.

DENVER and YOKOSUKA, Japan, Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Forge Nano, a Denver-based advanced materials equipment company, has installed one of their flagship Prometheus™ powder ALD (PALD) systems at Air Liquide Japan Ltd.'s Tokyo Innovation Campus. The Prometheus™ research and development system is being used by Air Liquide to validate ALD precursor chemicals for PALD applications for a variety of applications including battery materials for electric vehicles and electronic materials for consumer devices. Air Liquide, an investor in Forge Nano, is using the Prometheus™ system to perform various proofs-of-concept for subsequent scale-up at customer facilities using Forge Nano's commercial scale equipment.



Forge Nano Prometheus ALD Tool. Atomic Layer Deposition Equipment

"Forge Nano values Air Liquide as a key strategic investor and partner in various established markets. We're excited to provide them with a research system to accelerate adoption of PALD technology in Japan and globally for new applications. Once proofs of concept are completed by Air Liquide, we will provide end customers with commercial scale PALD equipment," Dr. Daniel Higgs, Director Product Management.

"Forge Nano is a recognized leader in the development and industrialization of cutting-edge powder-ALD processes. As the global leading ALD precursors "designer" and supplier, we are excited to install a Prometheus PALD system to support our discovery and scale-up of new ALD applications, together with our worldwide customers and partners," Nicolas Blasco, Air Liquide Advanced Materials, Global Director, Emerging Markets.

Prometheus™ PALD system:
The Prometheus™ PALD system is Forge Nano's flagship R&D system for ALD on powders. It incorporates over 20 years of powder ALD know-how and was designed for ease of use, research flexibility, and quality of coatings. With advanced powder fluidization technology and up to 8 ALD chemical precursor lines, Prometheus™ is the most capable powder ALD system on the market.

Prometheus features:
  • 1mL – 600ml (~1kg) of powder per batch.
  • Proprietary fluidization technology enables uniform fluidization and deposition
  • Up to 8 ALD chemical precursors connection enable a multitude of coatings
  • Interchangeable reactor bodies ensure precise coating of various batch sizes
  • Inert isolation and handling capabilities of air-sensitive powders
Forge Nano's team of ALD experts guide our customers through the entire process, making ALD feasible for nearly any industry. Forge's commercial systems for ALD on powders include Lithos™, Circe™, Morpheus™, while their systems for ALD on wafers/objects include Theia™, Apollo™, and Helios™.

About Forge Nano:
Based in Denver, CO., Forge Nano is a global leader in surface engineering and precision nano-coating technology, using Atomic Layer Deposition. Forge Nano's proprietary technology and manufacturing processes make angstrom-thick coatings fast, affordable and commercially viable for a wide range of materials, applications and industries. Forge Nano's suite of ALD and PALD products and services cover the full spectrum from lab-scale tools to commercial-scale manufacturing systems.
For more information visit www.ForgeNano.com

About Air Liquide Advanced Materials:
A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Air Liquide Advanced Materials (ALAM) is transforming the science of electronics and technology. We innovate with atomic scale engineering to open up countless new possibilities in how the world lives, works and connects. Today, our ALOHA™ and Voltaix® products are critical to the manufacture of the newest computer chips required for Big Data and the Internet of Things.

Friday, August 20, 2021

Forge Nano and Mineral Commodities Enter Into MOU to Produce ALD-Coated Natural Graphite Anode Powders

[News Forge Nano, LINK] Forge Nano, a global leader in surface engineering and precision nano-coating technology, is proud to announce the successful launch of high-energy, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries into orbit aboard the SpaceX Transporter-2 rideshare mission on June 20, 2021. The Li-ion batteries, featuring Forge Nano Particle ALD (PALD) technology and Enersys Zero Volt™ technology, were integrated into Spire Global®, Inc.’s LEMUR-2 satellite. The batteries used 100 percent domestically sourced electrode materials from Pyrotek® and Forge Nano®.


Lemur satellites in the Clean Room (image credit: Spire Global)

Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge Nano, explains “This is the first ALD-enabled space battery we know of and it’s mostly made with US materials! As world leaders in battery materials, we’re excited to be pushing limits of performance for various applications including space. This partnership with EnerSys, Pyrotek, and Spire Global is just one of many commercial battery projects we’re working on, and we look forward to sharing these other projects with the world soon.”

Forge Nano’s Particle Atomic Layer Deposition (PALD) technology, developed by Forge Nano founders while at the University of Colorado Boulder, allows batteries to survive longer and perform better across a variety of metrics. PALD is applicable and cost-effective for most cathodes, anodes, separators, and solid-state battery materials. Forge Nano works with companies from across the globe to enhance their materials with PALD.

The battery cells sent to space incorporated domestically sourced anode material from Pyrotek, headquartered in Spokane, Washington, and cathode material from Forge Nano. Both electrode materials utilized Forge Nano’s Particle Atomic Layer Deposition (PALD) coatings and combined with EnerSys® ZeroVolt™ technology to enhance cycle life stability, energy density, and low temperature performance. The batteries were sent to space aboard a Spire Global®, Inc. LEMUR-2 satellite and will be electrically cycled in-orbit at specific Depth of Discharge (DOD) levels to determine their electrical performance in a space environment as part of the battery qualification process.

“By integrating the various parties’ technologies into Spire’s LEMUR-2 satellite, we are able to gather relevant performance data in a spaceflight application and advance the use of this technology more broadly within the space industry.” said Keith E. Johnson, Vice President and General Manager, Federal at Spire Global, Inc.

“These new US-made batteries pave the way for a fully integrated US battery supply chain at a critical time in the domestication of the battery industry,” said Mark Matthews, EnerSys Senior Vice President, Specialty – Global.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Canada's Gratomic Enters EV Battery Supply Chain With Forge Nano and ALD

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / Wednesday, March 31, 2021 / Gratomic Inc. ("GRAT", "Gratomic" or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT)(OTCQX:CBULF)(FRANKFURT:CB82) is pleased to announce its plans to build a pilot facility (the "Facility") to internally process up to 1,000 tons of SG16 battery grade anode materials for the booming Electronic Vehicle ("EV") battery market in the second half of 2021. This initial pilot facility, if successful (as demonstrated by internal testing), is expected to be followed by the construction of a demonstration facility, which will process up to approximately 2,000 tons per annum beginning in 2022 and up to 20,000 tons per annum once the demonstration facility is converted into a full final production phase. The facility will be located at the Company's owned warehouse located at the Port of Luderitz Bay. While Gratomic completes the development of the pilot facility graphitic material will be shipped to Forge Nano, Inc. ("Forge Nano") for Atomic Layer Deposition ("ALD") coating in preparation for use as a battery anode material. This processing facility will enable the Company to take our raw graphite material to the final stages required for use in a battery anode application.


Forge Nano's ALD coating technology for use in lithium-ion battery anode applications, could result in significant gains in performance to Gratomic's SG16 battery graphite compounds, as per our press release dated October28. The Company has therefore entered into a cooperative agreement with Forge Nano, a leading expert in the field of battery materials (www.forgenano.com), to not only undertake the ALD coating process but also to assist in the planning and development of GRAT's aforementioned processing facility. Battery anode materials generally consists of three stages of processing: micronization, spheronization and coating. Forge Nano specializes in the final coating stage with their patented ALD coating technology. This facility will work in tandem with the Company's Aukam vein graphite project, which is now in its commissioning phase (See Company's press release dated March 29).

Procurement of the equipment system capable of applying ALD coatings for use in the Facility will be released by Forge Nano upon the successful completion of various performance and cost milestones (See "Scope of Collaboration" below).

Gratomic's Ludertiz Bay property covers 6,564 square meters and contains three buildings including a large warehouse, a double garage with six storerooms/workshops and a single garage with two offices and a store-room. The Company intends to use the warehouse for the ALD processing and packaging of its graphite. The property provides Gratomic with waterfront access to the Port of Luderitz and to container facilities, enabling direct delivery to ports in Europe, Asia and North America.

Furtehr details: LINK

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Forge Nano on ALD for Radio frequency (RF) and power electronics

WHITE PAPER by Forge Nano : Radio frequency (RF) and power electronics are vital to an array of industries, from telecom and consumer electronics to transportation and energy distribution. As energy diversification and the prevalence of high-speed electronics continue to grow, RF and power electronics are expected to reach a global market of $36.6 billion by 2027. Extreme environments such as high temperatures, ultra-violet radiation, oxygen, salinity, and moisture are all threats that degrade and corrode active components causing early failure. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has created substantial improvements to the reliability and performance of RF and power electronics. Using ALD as an encapsulation layer at the wafer level or as a final hermetic seal at the chip/module/PCB level has been shown to substantially improve electronic performance and lifetime. ALD layers enable longer lifetimes, higher performance and lower cost without adding the considerable mass gain and high temperature processing associated with conventional hermetic coatings.

Check out this fast ALD-Beast: LINK





ALD Advantages:
  • Hermetic sealing encapsulation layers with minimal thickness
  • Pristine conformality in high-aspect ratio structures
  • Ultra-low particle generation
  • Low stress films
  • Improved lifetime of circuits and PCBs
  • Increased resistance to harsh environments
  • No peeling or flaking of the hermetic seal at atmospheres >1200 PSI
  • Negligible mass gain from coating at 100 nm

Friday, March 19, 2021

Woxna AB in Sweden & Forge Nano USA to evaluate ALD coated graphite anode material for Lithium batteries

Sweden is steaming ahead in the Li-battery supply chain with Gigafab activities in North Sweden by Northvolt and traditionally have a strong Automotive sector led by Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, and Scania. Perhaps less known, there are also vast sources of graphite in Sweden and Woxna AB is one of the key mining companies for supplying graphite, which is a material needed for the anode in Li-battery production. So now the cool news - Woxna AB is going with ALD to coat the graphite anode material dug up at various places in Sweden! If the demonstrations are successful we are looking at a future demonstration plant at one of Woxnas graphite mining locations in Sweden - obviously, we will then move any plans of the ALD Sweden Conference to somewhere near that location and ask King Carl Gustav to join us in celebrating this historical milestone *fingers crossed*

ALD Company, Forge Nano, and Leading Edge Materials Corp., through its subsidiary Woxna Graphite AB are pleased to announce development work on the coating of graphite anode material from Woxna using Forge Nano's proprietary Atomic Layer Deposition technology (Press release: LINK).


Leading Edge Materials commenced graphite production at the Woxna Graphite project in July 2014. Woxna is strategically located in central Sweden, on the doorstep of a diverse range of European graphite consumers. Woxna is a fully permitted site, with an open pit mine, graphite processing facility and tailings storage dam already constructed. The site is currently permitted to feed 100,000 ton of graphitic rock per year, which allows for the production of approximately 10,000 tons of graphite concentrate (Source: Woxna Graphite AB, LINK)

From the press release: Compared with traditional coating technologies Forge Nano's ALD coatings offer added benefits such as the ability to control the thickness of the coating at the nanoscale, lower costs, reduced carbon footprint and equipment ready for commercial-scale production. As part of the agreement, Woxna will send samples of spherical purified graphite to Forge Nano for coating, performance testing, and evaluation against other previously carbon-coated Woxna spherical graphite materials. If successful, the agreement outlines a path to purchase equipment from Forge Nano with a capacity suited for deployment in a future demonstration plant at the Woxna graphite mine.

Filip Kozlowski, CEO of Leading Edge states "Coating is the last and most valuable step towards becoming a future active anode materials producer in Europe. Being offered the opportunity to collaborate with a market leader in this field like Forge Nano is a great step forward for the Woxna Graphite project. The advantages of Forge Nano's ALD coating for anode materials are well documented and with the support of some significant European investors in the battery value chain their technology could be the perfect solution to enable a sustainable source of high-performance active anode materials from Sweden."

Thursday, December 10, 2020

[PALD] SUMMIT Video Library is now available on demand - Enjoy!

The 2nd [PALD] Summit by Forge Nano is now happening. This is following the first very successful event earlier in 200 and Forge Nano is planning yet a 3rd event i summer 2021. More information will come in the near future.

Anyhow, the [PALD] SUMMIT Video Library is now available on demand - Enjoy!

------ [PALD] SUMMIT on Demand LINK ------

Presentation by BALD Engineering during the first [PALD] Summit


Horizontal high temperature rotating graphite drum furnace for ALD and LPCVD on particles and powders BALD Engineering AB: Jonas Sundqvist




Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Forge Nano and Argonne improve yield in propylene manufacturing by ALD coating

Propylene, a precursor for commodity chemicals and plastics, is produced by propane dehydrogenation (PDH). In a PDH process, propane is selectively dehydrogenated to propylene. Production capacity via PDH is slated to grow rapidly over the next several years. The single feed/single product feature is one of the most attractive aspects of PDH, especially for propylene derivative producers looking to back-integrate for a secure and cost-effective source of propylene (IHS Markit Report LINK). 

Despite its simple chemistry, industrial implementation of PDH is very complicated owing to side reactions such as: 
  • deep dehydrogenation
  • hydrogenolysis
  • cracking
  • polymerization
  • coke formation.
According to a recent publication by Forge Nano and Argonne National Lab, an increase in PDH yield via added catalyst activity, lifetime, or selectivity represents significant energy and economic savings. 

The researchers has demonstrated that by using Pt dispersed on Al2O3 extrudate supports as a commercially relevant model system and by using atomic layer deposition (ALD) metal oxide overcoats, the metal-active sites can be tailored to increase PDH yield and selectivity. 

In the study they investigate the interplay of Pt loading, ALD overcoat thickness, and Al2O3 support surface area on PDH activity, selectivity, and catalyst stability. 

They were able to show that applying a 6–8 Å thick layer of Al2O3 on low-surface area Al2O3 supports of ∼90 m2/g surface area yields the optimal combination of stability and activity, while increasing propylene selectivity from 91 to 96%. Please find further details in the paper linked below.

Catalyst preparation method, Graphical abstract (https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c03391)


Atomic Layer Deposition Overcoating Improves Catalyst Selectivity and Longevity in Propane Dehydrogenation
Zheng Lu, Ryon W. Tracy, M. Leigh Abrams, Natalie L. Nicholls, Paul T. Barger, Tao Li, Peter C. Stair,
Arrelaine A. Dameron, Christopher P. Nicholas, and Christopher L. Marshall

ACS Catal. 2020, 10, XXX, 13957–13967
Publication Date:November 16, 2020

https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.0c03391

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Forge Nano incorporatesthe innovative US ALD company Sundew Technology

Forge Nano incorporates Sundew Technology. Improving speed, cost, and efficiency of nano coatings on wafers and objects.

[Press release, October 15, 2020 LINK] Nanotech company Forge Nano, incorporates cutting edge Sundew technology to their suite of nano-scale, surface engineering solutions.

The new line of industry leading tools offers high speed, cost effective, nano coatings for objects and wafers. Building upon success in the energy storage market, this additional product line is used to develop cutting edge technology in a number of applications, such as; RF Devices (MMICs), Displays, Lighting, Memory, Power Electronics, Medical Devices, Environmental Protection Barriers (nanolaminates) and many more. 


APOLLO uses millisecond response ALD manifold that integrates 10 patented Fast Pneumatic Valves (FPV) to deliver over 100 million trouble-free cycles of composite and nanolaminate ALD films. This manifold is the only ALD manifold that can switch composition every cycle without any throughput penalty (Forgenano.com).

Forge Nano will handle the Sales, Service and Manufacturing of all Sundew systems at their new state of the art Innovation lab near Denver, CO. With 16 commercial systems already in the field, Forge Nano is excited to serve customers around the world, and to expand the adoption of this exciting technology.

“Sundew developed and commercialized cost-effective, high efficiency ALD tools that combine breakthrough innovations to deliver substantial productivity improvements and superior performance. These ALD tools are up to 100x faster, up to 90% more efficient and produce >40x less waste than traditional ALD tools. They enable zero waste processes, faster deposition, thicker films, enhanced ability to deposit more difficult films, and substantially reduced cost and frequency of maintenance.” Ofer Sneh- President Sundew Technologies

“In order to solve big problems, industries are turning to nano solutions. We are excited to bring Sundew’s amazing technology into our portfolio. These additions broaden our ALD equipment capabilities which continue to lead the world in coating more surface area, faster, and more efficient than anyone on the globe. By leveraging our expertise in PALD and Sundew’s speed and efficiency breakthroughs we will continue to make nano coatings easier and cheaper than ever. The technologies of the future will be unlocked at the atomic level.” Dr. Paul Lichty– CEO Forge Nano.

The new systems; HELIOS, THEIA and APOLLO add to Forge Nano’s existing line of tools for powders, particles, and objects. These innovative solutions bring nano coatings for objects and wafers into an entirely new era of speed and efficiency.

The complete line of surface engineering solutions can be found at www.forgenano.com/products

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Nano-Engineered Surfaces Unlock New Material Capabilities

Forge Nano launches new tools to enable nano-tech research, using Atomic Layer Deposition


Putting recent investments to work, Forge Nano Inc. launches new tool to enable Particle Atomic Layer Deposition (PALD) development. Billed as a "PhD Thesis in a box," the PANDORA tool is an easy to use, configurable DESKTOP research tool unlike anything else. 


(Picture: forgenano.com)
 
PANDORA unlocks the potential of ATOMIC LEVEL surface engineering, in an impossibly compact form factor at an affordable price. PANDORA is built to exceed global and industrial standards, and comes with several configurations, including plasma. From energy storage materials to pharmaceutical research, PANDORA will help researchers develop revolutionary coatings across disciplines. More details are now available at: https://www.forgenano.com/pandora.

Forge Nano specializes in optimizing the way surfaces interact at an ATOMIC level. Using proprietary technology, Forge Nano can apply nano coatings onto the surface of virtually anything. Now Forge Nano puts that power into the hands of researchers everywhere with an easy to use, configurable DESKTOP unit that can lead to materials innovations anywhere in the world.

"By designing the way surfaces interact, we can optimize their performance in many ways. We are truly manufacturing with atoms. The applications for ALD and PALD are nearly endless. By adding partners like Sumitomo Corporation of Americas and ALIAD (Air Liquide Venture Capital), we can develop and introduce new technologies like PANDORA to the market more efficiently. By enabling innovation with a community of active users, and collaborating in Commercialization programs, we provide a clear path to scalability." Dr. Paul Lichty- CEO Forge Nano.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

A GLOBAL DIGITAL CONFERENCE ON PARTICLE ATOMIC LAYER DEPOSITION [PALD]

Forge Nano and over 20 speakers are ready for the First Annual PALD Summit LIVE May 21st, a FREE virtual event. Please sign in today for the LIVE Q&A schedule with all our speakers! Then come back and view the content until June 1st.

Web: LINK


Thursday, February 6, 2020

Forge Nano and ALD NanoSolutions to merge

Forge Nano and ALD NanoSolutions combine forces making atomic level manufacturing a reality

LOUISVILLE, CO., February 5th, 2020 —Leading atomic layer deposition (ALD) experts Forge Nano and ALD NanoSolutions merge to bring cutting edge surface engineering techniques to market.

The technology of tomorrow requires incredible precision and control of materials to make products perform better than ever before. By “starting at the surface” we can engineer exact material properties, at an atomic level. This allows us to optimize a number of characteristics by controlling the way surfaces behave and interact with one another and their environment.

By combining the cumulative experience and resources of our companies, we offer unmatched real-world expertise, and the ability to scale atomic surface technology all the way through to manufacturing. We enable the engineering and manufacturing of nano-coatings on particles, and high surface area objects using the precision of ALD.


“By consolidating and streamlining our organization we now have the resources to deliver on a whole new wave of atomically perfected materials. Our customers now have a one-stop shop for product development, manufacturing, and IP. I’m pleased to offer an even faster and more concise path to market for our partners.”

-Dr. Paul Lichty, CEO Forge Nano Inc.


“We are excited to merge our talent and resources to create a company with unmatched capabilities and technical know-how. Not only that, but we will continue our close collaboration with Prof. Alan Weimer, and Prof. Steven George and their research groups at CU Boulder, ushering in a new era of disruptive technology together.”

-Dr. Wayne Simmons, CEO ALD NanoSolutions Inc.


The future of advanced materials technology begins at the surface. Using finely tuned, sub-nano surface control, “Manufacturing with Atoms” becomes a reality that will create safer and more efficient products. ALD enabled surfaces are pushing past the limitations of today’s materials and are finding applications in not just industrial uses but also for many household products


Forge Nano is a global leader in surface engineering and precision nano-coating technology. Our proprietary technology and manufacturing processes make angstrom-thick coatings fast, affordable and commercially viable for a wide range of materials, applications and industries. Our suite of ALD products and services covers the full spectrum from lab-scale to pilot and commercial-scale manufacturing systems. www.ForgeNano.com