Sakuu will get 3D-printed batteries from Porsche [update]

Porsche Consulting will design lithium-metal and solid-state battery maker Sakuu’s first 3D-printing gigafactory for commercial production – and Sakuu has now printed its 3D batteries for the first time.

February 16, 2009 Update: Sakuu today announced that it’s now successfully and consistently 3D-printed fully functional batteries in custom shapes and sizes at its Silicon Valley battery pilot line facility.

It says it’s the first company of record to 3D print fully functional batteries in custom shapes and sizes with patterned openings for thermal management in a completely dry process:

Sakuu, which says it’s the “developer of the world’s first 3D printed solid-state battery,” has paired up with Porsche Consulting because it wants to tap into the automaker subsidiary’s large-scale factory design expertise.

Robert Bagheri is the founder and CEO of Sakuu.

With respect for its deep expertise in automotive plant ideation and execution, we ultimately selected Porsche Consulting due to our belief that its team exhibits mastery in designing large-scale manufacturing plants – start to finish.

Sakuu opened a 79,000 square-foot pilot plant in San Jose, California, August 2022. It plans to build gigafactories to reach its 2030 energy production goal of 200 GWh. It plans to open two gigafactories in 2024.

3D-printed battery maker claims sustainable design is a priority. The company also wants to improve manufacturing efficiency so that it can be replicated internationally.

Sakuu’s first plant design will accommodate roll-to-roll manufacturing for its line of high-energy-density lithium-metal batteries. Roll-to-roll manufacturing is when a flexible base material known as a “substrate” is unrolled on an assembly line, and then modifying materials are layered onto that substrate one at a time with re-rolls – and that’s why it’s called “roll-to-roll.”

The battery maker also plans to build “first-of-their-kind plants” that feature Sakuu’s “Kavian” 3D printing method in order to make its Swift Print solid-state battery line.

Sakuu’s Kavian platform “can enable high-volume, automated, and cost-effective production of Swift Print battery cells – in any size or shape.” Its website states that its Swift Print lithium-metal sample cells, which have higher capacity and longer life and “can charge to 80%,” will ship this year.

Sakuu has the ability to make customized batteries that can be used for anything from EVs and electric bikes to energy storage.

Gregor Harman, North America CEO of Porsche Consulting, spoke out about Sakuu

Their seminal and scalable additive manufacturing approach can bring incredible innovation to major industries transitioning to new energy solutions – automotive and beyond.

Electrek’s Take

Sakuu falls into the “one to watch” category. Since they hired Porsche Consulting, it’s apparent that it’s going to prioritize the 3D printing of EV batteries.

In an August news post, Sakuu said it was aiming for “60 GWh by 2028.” It’s upped its production goal considerably since today it said that it’s now aiming for 200 GWh by 2030.

We’re excited to see where it goes next, and with which EV and clean-energy companies. My money’s on Porsche.

Photo: Sakuu

Continue reading: EV batteries alone could satisfy short-term grid storage demand – study

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