Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Ateios Systems, a member of the 2022 cohort of the “Innovation Crossroads” program operated by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has been awarded a $150,000 R&D grant and a $200,000 SuperBoost grant from the National Science Foundation’s Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine. This funding will support the company’s pioneering approach to manufacturing next-generation, high-energy dense, environmentally friendly battery electrodes.

“This grant is a significant step forward in our mission to bring battery electrode manufacturing back to the U.S. and position Upstate New York as a global leader in clean energy innovation,” said Rajan Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Ateios Systems. “We are excited about the opportunity to disrupt the battery manufacturing industry and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient future for energy storage.”

Ateios Systems was identified as a potential high-impact company while participating in the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded ChargeUp Accelerator at Binghamton University.

The company’s breakthrough technology, developed in collaboration with ORNL, aims to disrupt the $85 billion lithium-ion battery market by eliminating toxic solvents, harmful chemicals, and CO₂ emissions from production. At the same time, it enhances battery performance and reduces production costs. The proprietary RaiCure™ technology enables the creation of “forever-chemical-free” battery electrodes, making the manufacturing process cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable. In July 2024, Ateios Systems released its first rechargeable electrode product, RaiCore™ High Voltage Lithium Cobalt Oxide (HV LCO), as the dominant chemistry that makes up 33 percent of the battery market for consumer electronics.

According to a news release from Binghamton University, the SuperBoost grant will help Ateios Systems scale its technology by supporting the fabrication of production-grade battery cells. These cells, produced using a 1+ km electrode run generated at Kodak, will undergo qualification testing before being shipped to multiple customers for further adoption. With this support, Ateios is set to accelerate its timeline, bringing the product to market at least a year ahead of schedule.

The Ateios R&D project aims to leapfrog current battery manufacturing with thick electrode processing, significantly lowering energy use and production costs. The project will also emphasize working with domestic suppliers and production capabilities to ensure that performance claims (energy density, power, and cycle life) are backed with production data (speed, yield, and costs).

Ateios was one of four companies that participated in the first cohort of ChargeUp, a six-month accelerator program that supports battery-related start-ups by advancing their technology commercialization and investor readiness. During the program, participants went through a rigorous, competitive review and pitching process, evaluated by a panel of technical and business experts.

 

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