GM Ventures has invested $10 million in Forge Nano, a leading supplier of science-based innovations, to support the development of Atomic Armor, a revolutionary electric vehicle (EV) battery technology.
GM and Forge Nano
Capital investments in Forge Nano have surpassed the $100 million mark, with General Motors joining a distinguished group of shareholders that includes Volkswagen, LG, Hanwha, and Mitsui Kinzuko.
General Motors and Forge Nano have forged a strategic alliance to leverage Forge Nano’s patented Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technology, Atomic Armor, in developing thin-film coatings to enhance the performance of GM’s cathode active materials. Forge Nano will construct prototype lithium-ion battery cells at its Colorado headquarters to improve General Motors’ electric vehicle (EV) battery efficiency and lifespan.
Atomic Armor is a cutting-edge floor coating designed specifically for use on electric vehicle (EV) batteries, offering a trifecta of benefits: preventing corrosion, enhancing strength, and optimizing performance. The innovative technology enables a 20% boost in range and provides the EV battery with the versatility to recharge quickly, taking just 10 minutes.
Forging Nano intends to utilize the funds to expand its battery materials coating business, encompassing in-house active material coating services, external equipment sales, and production of Atomic Armor-enabled battery cells. The company plans to expand its influence in the semiconductor industry further.
Forge Battery
During my visit in late September, I had the opportunity to tour Forge Battery, a manufacturing arm of Forge Nano, as part of a press trip organized by the Financial Growth Partnership of North Carolina to the state’s renowned “Battery Belt”.
Forging a new path, Forge Battery is transforming a 277,000-square-foot facility in Morrisville, North Carolina into its latest production hub. The company has leased the space to manufacture advanced ALD-enabled, high-performance (307 Wh/kg) NMC/Si-G 21700 Li-ion cells. (Forging innovation, Forge Battery has successfully launched a state-of-the-art gigafactory in Raleigh, where it is now manufacturing and shipping 300 Wh/kg Atomic Armor-powered lithium-ion prototype cells.)
Forge Battery aims to cater to a target market comprising heavy-duty trucks, rugged off-road vehicles, motorcycles, and related protective gear.
By 2026, Morrisville is poised to launch a 1-gigawatt-hour (GWh) manufacturing capability every 12 months, with potential for a threefold increase to 3 GWh by 2029, pending receipt of desired facilities from utility provider Duke Energy. By leveraging domestic suppliers, Forge Battery’s initial supply chain will be comprised of approximately 90% US-sourced materials, with a goal to achieve a fully integrated 100% US supply chain upon project completion. The battery in this smartphone wasn’t manufactured domestically; instead, it was sourced from South Korea, accounting for 10%.
The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded Forge Battery $100 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will enable the company to increase its manufacturing capacity to 3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year by expanding its operations. Following our visit to the expansive residence, which is likely to be further enlarged with the newly secured funding in place, preparations were already underway for a press conference scheduled for the following day, during which Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC) and US Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm would formally announce the funding.
Due to the forecasted approach of Hurricane Helene, the occasion was regretfully cancelled. As we departed unexpectedly, little did we realize the magnitude of destruction that would soon ravage the western region of the state.
For a mere $10, Forge Battery claims to deliver its high-performance 21700 EV battery within just 10 minutes?
Electrek’s Take
What’s perhaps most striking about the Biden administration’s efforts to drive innovation in clean energy and electric vehicles is the remarkable success story of Forge Battery, a North Carolina-based company that has received significant support from both federal and state governments over the past few years. The notion that such profound transformations have taken place within a relatively short span is nothing short of astonishing. Effective coverage yields tangible results, and it’s rewarding to witness its impact on individuals.
Forge Nano and Forge Battery are collaborating to develop advanced electric vehicle (EV) batteries that offer enhanced performance capabilities. These incentives should motivate additional people to adopt electric vehicles. Companies are also generating direct and indirect employment opportunities in North Carolina and other locations. While the primary objective of their endeavour is crucial, it’s the innovative product they develop that truly makes a profound impact by prompting people to abandon the reliance on fossil fuels responsible for overheating the planet through harmful emissions, thereby exacerbating catastrophic weather events like Hurricane Helene, which has calamitous consequences for communities and individuals alike.
When disaster strikes, North Carolina’s Catastrophe Reduction Fund is ready to accept your donation and provide crucial support to affected communities.
