Federal Grant Award Summary

Silicoat Energy LLC received a $304,997 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) program (CFDA 47.084), effective July 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. The project develops high-energy, fast-charging, long-cycle-life silicon-based rechargeable batteries through a patent-pending manufacturing process that produces silicon nanoparticles with engineered internal voids and carbon coatings. This innovation addresses the fundamental limitation of silicon anodes—excessive volume expansion (>300 percent) during lithiation that causes electrode fracture and capacity loss—by enabling silicon to expand internally within designed voids rather than outward, thereby preventing mechanical damage to the electrode structure and solid electrolyte interphase layer.

The engineered silicon-carbon nanocomposites developed under this award are designed for scalable, environmentally benign, low-cost manufacturing and will enable next-generation lithium-ion batteries with significantly higher energy density than current graphite anode systems while maintaining improved cycle life performance. Performed in Chicago, Illinois, this Phase I effort represents NSF's investment in applied research translation and commercialization of early-stage battery technology innovations aligned with national clean energy and advanced manufacturing priorities.