Blab Tech
Alameda Startup Anthro Energy Unveils Phase-Change Electrolyte Promising Safer, Higher-Energy Batteries
Anthro Energy, a battery‑technology startup based in Alameda, California, has introduced a new electrolyte—Anthro Proteus—that could replace the flammable liquids used in today’s lithium‑ion cells.
Lithium‑ion batteries rely on liquid electrolytes to shuttle lithium ions between cathode and anode. The volatility of the liquid limits energy density and forces manufacturers to use heavy, protective casings. Solid‑state batteries, which employ ceramic or polymer electrolytes, promise improved safety but are difficult to integrate into existing production lines.
Anthro’s solution is a hybrid approach. The electrolyte is applied to the cell as a liquid, ensuring an even coating of the electrodes. During the final formation step—when manufacturers cure the cell with heat, pressure, and cycling—the material solidifies into a rubbery polymer. The company says the solidified electrolyte “glues the battery together,” locking the components in place and boosting mechanical integrity.
“It’s kind of like gluing the battery together,” CEO David Mackanic explained. “Everything is locked in place. You get these really dense, structurally solid battery materials.” He added that the technology could enable batteries that store more energy in tighter spaces, potentially extending electric‑vehicle range or smartphone battery life.
Experts have weighed the trade‑offs between liquid and solid electrolytes. Dan Steingart of Columbia University noted that liquid electrolytes spread easily but are volatile, while solid electrolytes are less flammable but can fracture and require new manufacturing steps. Jeffrey Lopez from Northwestern University said that a phase‑change electrolyte that behaves like a liquid during processing but solidifies during formation could combine the best of both worlds.
Anthro has already begun small‑scale production at its Alameda headquarters, a plant that employs about 50 people and produces both battery cells and the Anthro Proteus electrolyte. The company projects that it will be able to manufacture 500,000 batteries per year by early next year and produce 100 tons of electrolyte annually by mid‑2027. As production ramps up, the workforce is expected to grow to 80–85 employees.
In addition to the Alameda site, Anthro is building a full‑scale electrolyte‑manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The U.S. Department of Energy has granted the company $24.9 million to help construct the plant, which is slated to break ground in the fall. Full production is expected in 2028, with 12,000 tons of electrolyte per year by 2029 or 2030.
The startup’s batteries are already used in specialty electronic devices for data recording and transmission in defense applications. In May, Anthro entered a memorandum of understanding with battery maker EnPower to develop batteries for drones and other defense‑sector electronics. Once the Louisville plant reaches full capacity, Anthro plans to expand into electric‑vehicle and home‑storage markets.
Anthro has raised $45 million in venture funding from investors such as Union Square Ventures and Emerson Collective, and has received roughly $57 million in grant funding, including $5.5 million from the California Energy Commission and the DOE grant mentioned above. The capital has enabled the company to build its Alameda plant and begin scaling production.
Brenna Teigler, CEO of the Electrochemistry Foundry, said, “Anthro is uniquely positioned to do well. It’s one of the few companies working on electrolytes that can fit into existing production lines while offering improved safety and energy density.” McKinsey analyst Andreas Breiter noted that battery startups must deliver technology that is better than current and future products, and that there remains ample room for entrants like Anthro to carve out niches.
Anthro’s progress illustrates the broader trend of U.S. companies investing in domestic battery manufacturing. While solid‑state batteries have not yet reached commercial scale, a phase‑change electrolyte that can be produced in existing facilities may accelerate the deployment of safer, higher‑energy batteries for a range of applications.
The company’s next milestones include completing the Louisville plant, scaling up electrolyte production to 12,000 tons per year, and expanding its customer base beyond defense to electric‑vehicle and residential storage customers. The timeline for these developments remains subject to regulatory approvals, supply‑chain constraints and market demand.
As Anthro Energy moves from pilot production to larger‑scale manufacturing, industry observers will be watching how the company balances safety, energy density and cost while integrating its technology into the established lithium‑ion battery supply chain.
Lithium‑ion batteries rely on liquid electrolytes to shuttle lithium ions between cathode and anode. The volatility of the liquid limits energy density and forces manufacturers to use heavy, protective casings. Solid‑state batteries, which employ ceramic or polymer electrolytes, promise improved safety but are difficult to integrate into existing production lines.
Anthro’s solution is a hybrid approach. The electrolyte is applied to the cell as a liquid, ensuring an even coating of the electrodes. During the final formation step—when manufacturers cure the cell with heat, pressure, and cycling—the material solidifies into a rubbery polymer. The company says the solidified electrolyte “glues the battery together,” locking the components in place and boosting mechanical integrity.
“It’s kind of like gluing the battery together,” CEO David Mackanic explained. “Everything is locked in place. You get these really dense, structurally solid battery materials.” He added that the technology could enable batteries that store more energy in tighter spaces, potentially extending electric‑vehicle range or smartphone battery life.
Experts have weighed the trade‑offs between liquid and solid electrolytes. Dan Steingart of Columbia University noted that liquid electrolytes spread easily but are volatile, while solid electrolytes are less flammable but can fracture and require new manufacturing steps. Jeffrey Lopez from Northwestern University said that a phase‑change electrolyte that behaves like a liquid during processing but solidifies during formation could combine the best of both worlds.
Anthro has already begun small‑scale production at its Alameda headquarters, a plant that employs about 50 people and produces both battery cells and the Anthro Proteus electrolyte. The company projects that it will be able to manufacture 500,000 batteries per year by early next year and produce 100 tons of electrolyte annually by mid‑2027. As production ramps up, the workforce is expected to grow to 80–85 employees.
In addition to the Alameda site, Anthro is building a full‑scale electrolyte‑manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The U.S. Department of Energy has granted the company $24.9 million to help construct the plant, which is slated to break ground in the fall. Full production is expected in 2028, with 12,000 tons of electrolyte per year by 2029 or 2030.
The startup’s batteries are already used in specialty electronic devices for data recording and transmission in defense applications. In May, Anthro entered a memorandum of understanding with battery maker EnPower to develop batteries for drones and other defense‑sector electronics. Once the Louisville plant reaches full capacity, Anthro plans to expand into electric‑vehicle and home‑storage markets.
Anthro has raised $45 million in venture funding from investors such as Union Square Ventures and Emerson Collective, and has received roughly $57 million in grant funding, including $5.5 million from the California Energy Commission and the DOE grant mentioned above. The capital has enabled the company to build its Alameda plant and begin scaling production.
Brenna Teigler, CEO of the Electrochemistry Foundry, said, “Anthro is uniquely positioned to do well. It’s one of the few companies working on electrolytes that can fit into existing production lines while offering improved safety and energy density.” McKinsey analyst Andreas Breiter noted that battery startups must deliver technology that is better than current and future products, and that there remains ample room for entrants like Anthro to carve out niches.
Anthro’s progress illustrates the broader trend of U.S. companies investing in domestic battery manufacturing. While solid‑state batteries have not yet reached commercial scale, a phase‑change electrolyte that can be produced in existing facilities may accelerate the deployment of safer, higher‑energy batteries for a range of applications.
The company’s next milestones include completing the Louisville plant, scaling up electrolyte production to 12,000 tons per year, and expanding its customer base beyond defense to electric‑vehicle and residential storage customers. The timeline for these developments remains subject to regulatory approvals, supply‑chain constraints and market demand.
As Anthro Energy moves from pilot production to larger‑scale manufacturing, industry observers will be watching how the company balances safety, energy density and cost while integrating its technology into the established lithium‑ion battery supply chain.
