Allegro Energy secures US patent for electrolyte tech

Startup battery maker Allegro Energy has announced a US patent for its “micro-emulsion electrolyte” technology. 

According to a statement from the company on Tuesday, a key advantage of the now-patent protected technology is its ability to “dissolve a wider range of electrochemically active species, while maintaining stability at high voltage”. It follows patents in Europe and other markets.  

The invention overcomes a “major barrier to the adoption of aqueous electrolytes in advanced energy storage”, according to Allegra, adding that it’s “applicable to multiple battery formats”, such as lithium-ion, sodium-ion, magnesium-ion, and aluminium-ion batteries, as well as supercapacitors and redox flow batteries.

Allegra, which announced a $17.5 million Series A funding round in $17.5 million last September, describes its products as “water-based Redox Flow Batteries (RFB) and supercapacitors” that are non-flammable, fully recyclable, “and have no reliance on scarce materials or complex supply chains”.

On the new patent, co-founder and CEO Dr Thomas Nann said: “With energy storage playing a crucial role in the renewable transition, our micro-emulsion platform ensures scalability and adaptability across a range of battery chemistries, from redox flow to advanced ion batteries.”

The Hunter region, NSW company was awarded an Industry Growth Program grant in February worth $1.85 million to bring their batteries into full production.

Picture: the company’s planned battery factory (supplied)

Further reading

Battery maker Allegro Energy closes $17.5 million funding round

$2.5 million in Industry Growth Program grants awarded