The company has expanded its collaboration with Toshiba, using its SciB technology as the initial focus for the Zapbatt bOS battery operating system. The collaboration utilises the strengths of SciB, known for its fast charging and discharging, extremely long lifecycle, wide operating temperature and safety, to broaden the application of the bOS across consumer and industrial products.
“Integrating our SCiB technology with Zapbatt's bOS represents a leap forward in energy storage” said Greg Mack, VP & General Manager at Toshiba. “Breaking through technological and cost barriers to enter markets previously out of reach, our technology can now be applied across a wider spectrum of markets. This effort showcases not only the exceptional performance of SCiB chemistry but also our joint commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
The dominance of standard Lithium-Ion battery chemistries in the current storage technology market is largely due to the perceived ease of integration and lower upfront costs. However, this widespread adoption overlooks the nuanced needs of diverse applications, where alternative battery chemistries, such as Toshiba's SCiB, could significantly enhance performance, durability, and safety. The true potential of these innovative chemistries remains largely untapped, hindered by high investment barriers, a lack of awareness, and complex integration challenges stemming from differing voltage and power requirements.
Operating systems have revolutionised the adoption and ease of use in cell phones and computers. Zapbatt now aims to bring this level of adaptability to the world of modern batteries, heralding a new era in energy storage solutions.
The Zapbatt bOS acts as a universal adapter, seamlessly integrating SCIB and other advanced battery chemistries into various applications by precisely tailoring diverse voltage and power requirements.
Unlike traditional battery management systems, the bOS enables the adoption of optimal battery chemistries without significant investment in battery infrastructure or modifications to existing electrical components. Its software/hardware enables adaptive and scalable input and output voltage regulation, enhancing safety with no risk of overcharge or thermal runaway, and ensuring performance with meticulous cell-by-cell control. The fully programmable voltage output allows the battery to mimic how any device operates, while the programmable voltage input gives access to fast charging off standard infrastructure.
“Our goal was to create a system that not only meets today's energy storage demands but also anticipates and adapts to future advancements” added Charles Welch, CEO and Co-Founder of Zapbatt. “What sets the bOS apart is its unique and pioneering approach; unlike traditional battery companies focused on refining a single chemistry or developing new ones, we're advocating for a more open and flexible solution. The bOS acts much like an operating system that can run on any phone or, in our case, work with any battery chemistry. This open-source philosophy maximises the ability for users to seamlessly adopt the best battery to power their exact use case. As more advanced chemistries continue to emerge, Zapbatt will serve as a conduit, streamlining their integration into various markets in a cost-effective and straightforward manner. This adaptability highlights our role in energy storage technology to make the future of electrification both widely accessible and sustainable.”
Additional highlights of Zapbatt’s Battery Operating System with Toshiba’s Battery SCiB include:
Rapid Charging – Achieves 80 percent charge in under 6 minutes, resulting in remarkably lower turnaround times.
Extended Lifespan – Over 20,000 cycles, significantly extending battery longevity, even with fast charging/discharging.
Enhanced Safety – Very low risk of fire or explosion caused by internal short circuits.
Rapid Discharging – Supports demanding applications by maintaining performance without overheating or significant voltage drops.
Operational in Extreme Cold – Charge and discharge at temperatures as low as -30°C, broadening usage scenarios.
Wide State of Charge Range – Ability to access the full battery and supply full energy even under demanding loads.
The Zapbattt system enables product manufacturers to adopt new battery hardware at software speeds. Beyond utilising advanced chemistries like SCiB cells, Zapbatt synthesises this external chemistry with its bOS to produce customised battery solutions tailored and built to unique specifications. This innovation delivers seamless compatibility with manufacturers' existing components and system requirements, significantly streamlining the journey from concept to market-ready product.
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