Echion is developing an advanced nanomaterial that could replace graphite electrodes in lithium-ion batteries. According to the RSC, the material improves energy density, power density, cycle life, safety and cost.
Jean de La Verpilliere, pictured, Echion’s managing director, said: “The RSC Emerging Technologies Competition is not only valuable to us from a financial point of view, but we also hope to take full advantage of the networking and business development opportunities and mentorship that the RSC offers winners of this competition.”
Meanwhile, Imperial College London spin out Polymer Bionics won first prize in the Materials and Enabling Technologies category for BionGel, an electrode material for use in medical devices and diagnostics. BionGel is a flexible gel like material which has superior electrical and mechanical performance than conventional metal electrodes. It can be applied to existing devices and customised to interact with specific body tissues.