Amprius is expanding its portfolio of high-performance lithium-ion battery solutions for electric aircraft and ground vehicles with a new battery cell product called SiCore. According to Amprius, the SiCore cell boasts “unparalleled power-to-energy capabilities for high-demand applications,” such as vertical flight in eVTOL aircraft. 

With an energy density of 370 Wh/kg, the SiCore cell doesn’t pack quite as much charge per unit volume as some of Amprius’s other silicon-anode batteries, which boast energy densities of up to 500 Wh/kg. However, as a trade-off, it offers exceptionally high power density at 3,000 W/kg. 

The cell can support a relatively high discharge rate of 10C without cooling or up to 15C with active cooling, making it an ideal solution for applications that require rapid energy delivery without compromising on endurance or range. 

“This advanced power delivery is especially critical for applications like eVTOL aircraft, where high power is essential for takeoff and landing, and high energy ensures extended flight times and longer ranges,” said Amprius CEO Kang Sun. “Backed by our strong manufacturing partnerships and capabilities, we believe this innovation positions Amprius to meet growing market demand while driving the widespread adoption of silicon anode technology in rapidly expanding industries.”

Amprius, which is headquartered in California, has already signed deals with several eVTOL manufacturers who intend to use the company’s battery technology in their respective aircraft designs. Amprius has not yet disclosed the identities of its eVTOL customers.

“This SiCore cell is a significant technical breakthrough for the industry, achieving a level of power-to-energy ratio that we believe has not been seen at such high energy density,” said Amprius chief technology officer Ionel Stefan. “By optimizing the silicon anode composition without compromising the other performance metrics of the cell, we have redefined the trade-off between power and energy. This cell is not just about performance but about creating new power possibilities for high-demand applications.”