Century Lithium's Angel Island Lithium Metal Demonstrated in U.S. Army Battery Cells
Event summary
- Lithium carbonate from Century Lithium's Angel Island project converted into lithium metal by Alpha-En and integrated into battery cells by EaglePicher under U.S. Army SBIR funding.
- Lithium metal anodes met EaglePicher's performance specifications, showing higher operating voltages and improved power performance compared to control cells.
- Demonstration highlights domestic supply chain integration for defense applications, reducing reliance on foreign lithium sources.
The big picture
This demonstration aligns with broader U.S. efforts to reduce dependence on foreign critical minerals by integrating domestic lithium resources into high-performance battery systems for defense applications. The collaboration between Century Lithium, Alpha-En, and EaglePicher underscores the strategic importance of securing a vertically integrated supply chain for next-generation battery technologies.
What we're watching
- Supply Chain Security
- How the successful demonstration will accelerate U.S. efforts to secure domestic lithium supply chains for defense applications.
- Technology Validation
- Whether Alpha-En's proprietary extraction and electrodeposition process can scale for broader commercial use beyond defense applications.
- Regulatory Progress
- The pace at which Century Lithium advances Angel Island through permitting, given the strategic importance of domestic lithium production.