COnovate awarded $1.25M DOE contract to scale graphene monoxide anode material
COnovate has won a $1.25M, 24-month DOE contract to scale U.S. production of eCOphite, a graphene monoxide-based anode material positioned as a graphite alternative. Used as an additive, it gives LFP batteries a durable voltage reference point for more accurate state-of-charge estimation.
COnovate, Inc., a Wisconsin-based battery materials company, has been awarded a $1.25 million development contract by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to scale U.S. production of eCOphite, its anode material based on graphene monoxide (GmO). The company describes GmO as a solid form of carbon monoxide at atmospheric temperatures and pressures. The 24-month contract was awarded under DOE's Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator program.
eCOphite is positioned as an alternative to graphite-based anodes in lithium-ion batteries. COnovate said the material can be produced domestically from renewable feedstocks, does not require mining, and is designed to integrate with existing manufacturing infrastructure.
The material targets a known issue in lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems: a flat voltage curve that can make state-of-charge harder to estimate across much of the usable range. Used as an additive with existing anodes, eCOphite provides a durable voltage reference point, which COnovate said enables existing battery management systems to estimate state-of-charge more accurately and to manage packs over their operating life. The company said the result is better system visibility, reduced downtime and warranty risk, and lower maintenance and augmentation costs.
"This award is an important step toward qualifying eCOphite material at commercial scale and strengthening a domestic supply battery materials supply chain," said Craig Rigby, President and CEO of COnovate. He added that the company aims to help customers pursue higher-performing battery systems while reducing dependence on mined critical minerals from overseas.
COnovate holds foundational patents to develop and commercialize products for the lithium-ion battery industry and continues to develop intellectual property for specific lithium-ion battery applications. The work is supported by DOE's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) under AMMTO Award Number DE-EE0011730.
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