Success Stories
From research discoveries to commercial spin-outs, policy guidance to career development and engagement, this selection of case studies from the Faraday Institution and its research community demonstrates the impacts we are making on UK science, the economy and future generations of researchers.
Accelerating EV Battery Innovation at JLR with the Battery Parameter eXchange Standard
As the automotive industry rapidly transitions to fully electric, battery simulation is becoming an increasingly important tool in EV development. Battery models, and the parameterisation data that underpins them, have become valuable engineering assets.
Unlocking silicon’s promise: a novel process for making high-performance anode material
University of Sheffield spin‑out, AmpliSi, has developed a new process for producing porous silicon anode material that goes some way to overcome both challenges – opening a path to higher‑performing, and more sustainable batteries.
AI unlocks the manufacturing secrets of LMFP
Industry Sprint, between WMG University of Warwick and Imperial spin-out Polaron, has demonstrated the power of AI and machine learning to inform and accelerate battery materials development.
Battery Pack Development Can Save Millions for EV Makers
Reducing the time and risks associated with custom pack development is the name of the game for IONETIC, a start-up that aims to save automakers millions in costs.
Imperial AI spinout Polaron wins £1 million Manchester Prize
A success story written by Imperial on a government award recognising the potential of Polaron’s AI tools to speed up materials optimisation for climate-critical technologies.
Breathe and Volvo Cars Partner
Former entrepreneurial fellows Breathe Battery Technologies and Volvo Cars partner to bring adaptive charging software to new generation EVs.
Ionworks unlocks PyBaMM for industry users with professional user interfaces
Spinout case study: During a Faraday Institution Entrepreneurial Fellowship Ionworks created professional, user-friendly software-as-a-service user interfaces for PyBaMM making it accessible for industry organisations.
Supporting start-ups and launching spin-outs – Faraday Institution involvement
Spinout case study: In its first 6 years, the Faraday Institution has supported 14 start-ups, which today employ 118 people. From a Faraday Institution investment of around £1M, the companies have yielded a 36-fold return in further disclosed funding (to March 2024).
AI spinout Polaron to accelerate design of advanced materials
Spinout case study: A new Imperial spinout company Polaron AI will use generative AI to help companies design higher performing materials for applications such as batteries.
Faraday Institution Supports UK-based Start-up OXLiD to an Acquisition by Gelion
Spinout case study: Retaining a significant lithium-sulfur battery IP portfolio for the UK - UK-based Start-up OXLiD to an Acquisition by Gelion.
Illumion illuminates the inside of batteries
Spinout case study: A novel, low-cost, technique for looking inside lithium-ion batteries and pinpointing potential defects is being commercialised to help speed up the development of promising new battery materials.
Towards a greener lead acid battery recycling process
Spinout case study: Solveteq’s technology replaces the most energy-intensive and polluting steps in the lead-acid battery recycling process with a low-temperature, solvent-based method.
Battery research for vertical take-off and landing aircraft takes off
Spinout case study: Qdot applies its expertise in thermal management technologies, proven in nuclear fusion tokamaks, to battery pack systems.
Cognition Energy Gives Battery Packs a Boost
Spinout case study: Startup Cognition Energy’s expertise in thermal management, its cell testing service and novel CellPod testing product are being used to extend battery life and reduce ownership costs.
Spin-out Breathes Life into Battery Management
By adapting the charging processes to the unique, evolving health of every battery, Breathe Battery Technologies is unlocking significant improvements to battery charge times, range and lifetime.
Developing Diagnostic Models to Warranty Batteries
Spinout case study: Lancaster University spin-out Altelium offers a non-intrusive diagnostic toolkit that for the first time enables the insurance industry to warranty batteries.
Patent-pending technology makes fast charging faster by more than 60%
Spinout case study: The Electrochemical Innovation Lab at UCL has developed charging-engagement “MagLiB” technology that uses a dynamic magnetic field to accelerate the fast charging of lithium-ion batteries, potentially increasing EV range without negatively affecting the lifetime of the battery.
#FaradayPathways to Career Success
These Faraday Pathways showcase the career success of talented individuals throughout our community and how Faraday Institution training programmes, interventions, collaborative ways of working and community building initiatives are helping to deliver future skills needed.