XBM and SiCAM Technologies join forces to develop a sustainable, ultra-high-density battery technology using locally sourced materials for drones and electric aircraft.
Lithium-sulfur cathode developer Xponential Battery Materials (XBM) and silicon-carbon anode specialist SiCAM Technologies have entered into a technology partnership to create a new silicon-sulfur battery materials platform tailored for US battery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The collaborative platform will combine SiCAM’s silicon-carbon (Si-C) anode material with XBM’s lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cathode technology and cell architecture.
According to the two companies, silicon-sulfur batteries offer significantly higher theoretical energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. The primary components are widely available within the region: silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, while sulfur is produced as a byproduct of US petroleum refining.
Whereas most Si-C anode developers rely on silane via a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process, SiCAM employs trichlorosilane within a fluidized-bed CVD setup. This fluidized-bed method is engineered to form a bonded silicon-composite primary structure, helping to mitigate the 300% swelling typically experienced by silicon during charge and discharge cycles. SiCAM holds the exclusive licence for this patented anode material and is currently working towards commercialising the technology and establishing manufacturing facilities in the US.
XBM’s CarbonX cathode material is derived from lignin, a byproduct of the US paper pulping industry. The cathode utilises porous carbon created through a proprietary sol-gel process and infused with sulfur and catalysts, a design intended to enhance sulfur utilisation, extend cycle life, and boost cell-level energy density.
Phillip Roberts, co-founder of both SiCAM Technologies and XBM, noted that the collaboration represents a natural step in advancing a sustainable battery vision that bypasses traditional chemistries reliant on mined, costly, and foreign-controlled supply chains.
Jon Shan, Chief Technology Officer at XBM, stated that the immediate objective is to refine the high-capacity Li-S cathode and Si-C anode integration. The resulting silicon-sulfur platform will initially target lightweight, high-energy-density eMobility applications, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and drones.
