Battery material developer secures funding boost

A Sheffield-based battery materials developer has secured investment to advance technology aimed at improving the performance and sustainability of next-generation electric vehicle batteries.

AmpliSi, a spin-out from the University of Sheffield, has raised £2 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Northern Gritstone and Clean Growth Fund. 

The company was co-founded with company builder Cambridge Future Tech and previously took part in Northern Gritstone’s NG Studios deeptech programme.

AmpliSi is developing porous silicon anode materials designed to replace graphite in lithium-ion batteries, a change that could significantly increase energy density, charging performance and efficiency. 

The technology aims to enable lighter, longer-lasting batteries for applications including electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

AmpliSi’s process converts abundant silica into porous silicon using a low-temperature method, avoiding many of the cost and scalability challenges associated with conventional silicon production.

Bosses say the funding will support the company as it moves from laboratory development towards industrial scale-up while engaging with potential customers in the mobility sector, where demand for higher-performance batteries continues to grow.

Dr Ruth Sayers, chief executive of AmpliSi, said: “Our focus from day one has been on building a new type of silicon battery material that can be produced at scale and integrated into existing battery supply chains. 

“This investment allows us to move beyond proof-of-concept and concentrate on scaling a product that delivers real commercial value to battery manufacturers, without introducing unnecessary cost or complexity.”

Duncan Johnson, chief executive of Northern Gritstone, added: “AmpliSi is the embodiment of deep-tech innovation emerging from the University of Sheffield that Northern Gritstone strives to support. 

“As a graduate of our NG Studios venture building programme, the company combines world-class science with a clear route to commercial impact through its next generation of battery technology. 

“By developing a scalable, lower-cost process aligned with the needs of existing supply chains, we are excited to support AmpliSi as it moves from the lab to commercial deployment.”

Beverley Gower-Jones, managing partner of the Clean Growth Fund, added: “Silicon anodes have long been recognised as offering dramatic performance advantages over current anode materials in battery systems. 

“AmpliSi’s technology directly addresses the challenges that have restricted the widescale adoption of silicon anodes to date, including the emissions intensity of current manufacturing processes. 

“The Clean Growth Fund is delighted to support the company on its goal of unlocking silicon’s potential and supporting the acceleration of the energy transition.”

Owen Thompson, chief executive of Cambridge Future Tech, added: “Some of the UK’s most groundbreaking science is coming from northern universities – the challenge is turning it into companies at pace. 

“At Cambridge Future Tech, we’ve seen with AmpliSi what’s possible when novel research is matched with hands-on venture building and the right capital.”

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