Dry Electrode Pioneer Joins AM Batteries to Launch Next-Gen Tech

BILLERICA, Mass. – February 23, 2026 – In a move sending ripples through the global battery industry, AM Batteries today announced the appointment of Dr. Franz Fink, the former CEO of Maxwell Technologies, as its new Chief Commercial Officer. The hiring of the executive who spearheaded the dry electrode technology acquired by Tesla signals a pivotal moment for AM Batteries as it prepares to commercialize its next-generation Dry Battery Electrode (DBE) 2.0 platform.

Dr. Fink will lead the charge to accelerate the industry-wide adoption of the company's proprietary manufacturing process, a technology poised to solve some of the most significant cost, scale, and environmental challenges facing battery production today. His decision to join the Billerica-based innovator is seen by many as a powerful validation of its technology and a sign that the long-promised shift from "wet" to "dry" battery manufacturing is not just inevitable, but imminent.

"Dr. Fink's decision to lead our commercial strategy as Chief Commercial Officer is a testament to the fact that AMB is on the verge of a major commercial breakthrough," said Lie Shi, CEO of AM Batteries. "His intimate knowledge of the evolution of DBE—from its beginnings at Maxwell to the current industry-wide push—makes him the ideal leader to help our partners transition to a more sustainable manufacturing future."

The Next Evolution in Battery Manufacturing

For decades, the standard method for producing lithium-ion battery electrodes has been a "wet" slurry-based process. This involves mixing active materials with a binder and a toxic, expensive solvent like N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP), coating the resulting paste onto metal foils, and then baking the electrodes in massive, energy-intensive ovens to evaporate the solvent. This conventional method is not only costly and slow but also carries a significant environmental footprint.

The industry first saw a viable alternative with what is now called DBE 1.0, pioneered by Maxwell Technologies under Dr. Fink's leadership. By adapting technology from ultracapacitor manufacturing, Maxwell developed a process that eliminated the need for wet solvents. This breakthrough was so significant that it led to the company's landmark acquisition by Tesla in 2019, allowing the electric vehicle giant to scale up a dry electrode process for its own batteries and prove its viability for mass production.

While Tesla validated the concept, AM Batteries argues that the industry is ready for a purpose-built solution. The company's DBE 2.0 platform, built on its 'Powder-to-Electrode™' technology, was designed from first principles specifically for battery manufacturing. Instead of adapting an existing process, AMB's method uses an electrostatic spray to directly deposit dry active material powders onto the current collector foils. This bottom-up approach fundamentally simplifies the production line, eliminating multiple complex and costly steps.

The technical advantages are substantial. The process reduces the number of manufacturing steps from seven to just four, removing the need for electrode drying and solvent recovery entirely. This results in a process that is not only less complex but also significantly more efficient, with claimed mixing times in minutes rather than hours.

A Leap in Performance and Sustainability

The benefits of AM Batteries' approach extend beyond manufacturing efficiency. The DBE 2.0 technology allows for the creation of advanced electrode architectures that are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve with traditional wet-coating methods. By precisely controlling the deposition of powders, the company can create electrodes with highly tunable density, a more open pore structure for faster electrolyte wetting, and superior control over thickness and edge fidelity.

This precision engineering translates directly into better battery performance. Research and company data suggest that electrodes made with the DBE 2.0 process can enable higher energy density, stable cycle life comparable to wet-processed electrodes over 1,000 cycles, and faster charging capabilities due to low internal resistance. Furthermore, the technology is chemistry-agnostic, compatible with a wide range of materials including LFP, high-nickel NMC, and silicon-based anodes, positioning it as a key enabler for today's batteries and tomorrow's solid-state technologies.

The economic and environmental implications are perhaps the most compelling aspects of the technology. By eliminating the need for massive drying ovens and solvent recovery systems, AM Batteries claims its process can reduce the energy consumption of a battery plant by over 40% and shrink the required factory footprint by a factor of five. This translates to a capital expenditure (CAPEX) reduction of up to 40% and an operating expenditure (OPEX) reduction of over 50%. Critically, it also eliminates the use of toxic NMP solvents, drastically reducing the environmental impact and creating safer working conditions.

Strategic Backing for a Market Takeover

A revolutionary technology is only as good as its path to market, and AM Batteries has been methodically building an ecosystem of powerful backers and partners. The company's $30 million Series B funding round, closed in late 2023, was led by Toyota Ventures and included participation from Porsche Ventures. This strategic investment from two of the world's leading automotive giants underscores the industry's serious interest in securing more efficient and scalable battery production methods.

Beyond financial backing, AMB has forged key joint development agreements across the supply chain. A partnership with Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), a world-leading battery producer, aims to integrate the DBE 2.0 process into full-scale production. Collaborations with materials science leader TDK Corporation and binder specialist Zeon Corporation are focused on optimizing performance and accelerating the development of next-generation solid-state batteries.

With this powerful coalition of investors and partners, the appointment of Dr. Fink is the final piece of the commercial puzzle. His experience in turning Maxwell's technology into a multi-billion-dollar acquisition target provides invaluable expertise in navigating the complex path from innovation to industry standard.

"Tesla has proven that the wet-to-dry transformation is inevitable," said Dr. Fink in the company's announcement. "I joined AM Batteries because their DBE 2.0 approach solves the scaling challenges that have previously hindered the industry. We are ready to provide the equipment and high-performance electrodes the market needs to make the next leap in battery production."

As global demand for lithium-ion batteries is projected to exceed 2,000 GWh by 2030, the pressure is on to build out manufacturing capacity quickly, affordably, and sustainably. With Dr. Fink now leading its commercial strategy, AM Batteries is making a bold claim that its purpose-built dry electrode technology is no longer just a better way to make a battery—it is the essential foundation for the future of energy storage.