Led · Grant · Apr 2026

South 8 Technologies develops a proprietary liquefied gas electrolyte called LiGas and manufactures high-performance, resilient lithium-ion battery cells. The company's LiGas platform is positioned to improve safety, enhance extreme-temperature performance, enable faster charging, and extend cycle life compared with traditional electrolytes. South 8 emphasizes a fully domestic supply chain, with gas-based components produced at industrial scale in the United States. Following the grant, the company plans to expand its San Diego operations to reach annual production capacity of 100 MWh for electrolyte and 2 MWh for lithium-ion battery cells. Its customers and target markets include defense, aerospace, mobility, and global automotive manufacturers working on next-generation battery qualification programs. The company highlighted that the expansion supports job creation and local economic benefits aligned with California's zero-emission transportation goals.

Led · Grant · Oct 2024

Sepion Technologies develops ultra-thin, drop-in polymer separator coatings and membrane technologies intended to replace legacy ceramic materials in lithium-ion batteries. Its coatings aim to enable higher energy density, faster charging, and improved durability without requiring changes to existing battery manufacturing lines. The company reports its products are currently being manufactured on commercial production lines to support customer qualification with leading global battery manufacturers. Sepion is supporting multiple concurrent qualification programs for electric vehicle, energy storage system, and consumer electronics applications. Led by CEO Peter Frischmann and based in Alameda, CA, the company plans to use recent funding to scale U.S.-based polymer production, expand product lines, and strengthen quality and operations.