Project Description

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Unigrid, a startup developing high-energy-density sodium-ion batteries, has partnered with UC San Diego’s Energy Storage Group to test the performance, durability, and safety of its innovative cylindrical battery cells.

Sodium-ion technology presents a cost-effective and abundant alternative to lithium-ion batteries, addressing supply chain limitations while improving safety and energy efficiency. Unigrid’s anode technology doubles the energy density of standard sodium-ion cells, making them ideal for applications in light electric mobility and distributed stationary storage.

The goal of this project is to validate Unigrid’s battery performance under real-world conditions, ensuring its viability for commercial energy storage applications.

Testing & Evaluation Process
Over a 9-month testing period, UC San Diego researchers will assess key battery performance metrics, including:

• Initial Capacity Check – Evaluating baseline performance of all received battery cells.
• Rate Testing – Measuring how well the cells handle different charge and discharge rates.
• Temperature & Cycle Life Testing – Conducting long-term cycling tests at various temperatures to assess durability.
• DC Internal Resistance (DCIR) Measurements – Analyzing battery efficiency by recording resistance every 10th cycle.
• Aging & Self-Discharge Testing – Measuring energy retention over time with test cycles occurring daily, weekly, or monthly.

Testing will be conducted at three different temperature conditions, simulating real-world storage and operating environments. The final report will be completed by December 2025 or earlier.

Project Results

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(Results will be updated as testing progresses.)

Initial Findings:

• Energy Density Performance – Assessing improvements over standard sodium-ion technology.
• Thermal Stability & Safety – Evaluating how sodium-ion chemistry mitigates fire hazards compared to lithium-ion batteries.
• Long-Term Durability – Measuring degradation rates to estimate commercial lifespan.
• Commercial Viability – Determining suitability for light EVs and stationary storage applications.

Next Steps:‍

• Optimization & Scaling – Using test data to refine Unigrid’s battery design for larger-scale deployment.
• Commercialization Readiness – Identifying improvements needed for mass production and real-world integration.
• Extended Testing – Evaluating performance in grid-scale and mobility applications beyond the initial test period.

By conducting rigorous performance testing, this project will help Unigrid bring its high-density, low-cost sodium-ion batteries closer to market, accelerating the transition to safer and more sustainable energy storage solutions.