Project K Energy, Inc. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 1
Project K Energy, Inc. — SBIR Phase II award from Department of Energy.
Phase II SBIR prototype / development signal
- Phase II is where Department of Energy funds deeper R&D after feasibility. Incumbents with Phase II history are serious competitors on adjacent topics.
- Use this award as past-performance context and to map customer organizations for STRATFI/TACFI-style transition planning.
- Obligated amount $924,160 is consistent with substantial Phase II-scale effort; compare to related awards from the same agency.
- Topic code 1 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $924,160
- Agency
- Department of Energy · ARPA-E
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase II
- Topic
- 1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CA
- Period
- 2023-07-12 → 2026-07-12
Description
We propose to develop and commercialize a potassium-ion battery for use in electric vehicles (EVs). The fundamental properties of potassium transport in organic electrolytes allow for fast charging from 0 to 80% capacity in less than 5 minutes. The battery will pair a stable, open-framework cathode based on a Prussian blue analog (PBA) with a conventional graphite anode for a high-performance battery with a specific energy of 200 W h kg at less than 50 USD kW h. The superior transport properties of potassium ions will also give the battery enhanced performance at low temperatures. Relative to comparable technologies, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and sodium-ion batteries, this potassium-ion cell will have higher energy, faster charging, and lower cost. Furthermore, it will eliminate rare and expensive lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. With potassium-ion batteries, cars will charge faster and cost less. The raw materials for EV batteries will be more geographically distributed, geopolitically secure, and ethically sourced. Our battery’s architecture will be similar to incumbent lithium-ion batteries’, so we expect to leverage extant manufacturing capabilities and move quickly to market after electrolyte development. Electrolyte optimization is a significant technical challenge, but the funding and success of this project will result in a fast-charging, high-energy, low-cost potassium-ion battery for EVs with improved low-temperature performance and a more secure raw-materials supply chain.