Read how a grid-scale battery developer unlocked over $80 million in projected value after Octet Scientific screened 75+ electrolyte additives and delivered a custom, stable formulation that boosted energy density, enhanced cyclability/cycle-life, and expedited manufacturing.
“In an aqueous battery system, subtle chemical changes can have a huge impact on performance. By systematically screening over 75 additives, we helped this customer unlock tens of millions of dollars in value — accessible with zero hardware changes or model rebuilds required.”
— Onas Bolton, Founder & CEO, Octet Scientific
The Challenge
The customer sought to increase battery capacity throughout cycling — especially at deeper depths of discharge — without compromising electrolyte stability. But they faced persistent challenges:
- Poor-quality zinc plating at higher state-of-charge
- Dendrite formation reducing efficiency and lifespan
- Limited selection of additives that would remain stable in their electrolyte, particularly pH extremes.
These issues hampered battery and cell performance, and slowed the company’s march to a faster scale-up.
The company sought Octet’s help with creating a custom additive formulation that could improve the electrolyte to solve these problems with a drop-in solution.
Octet’s Process: 75+ Additives and Testing
Octet’s goal was to develop an electrolyte additive or additive package that could simultaneously:
- Enhance zinc utilization
- Suppress dendrite formation, and
- Remain chemically stable throughout cycling
Octet launched a comprehensive screening of over 75 individual additives, plus strategic combination tests, to pinpoint the optimal chemistry for achieving that goal.
Each additive candidate was evaluated for performance, synergy, and durability through both lab and post-mortem analysis.
Results
Octet identified:
- A primary additive that dramatically improved metal deposition and reversible zinc use
- A partner additive that curbed dendrite growth and increased efficiency
- A tailored, stable formulation designed specifically for the customer’s system
Results following charge cycle:
| No Additive | 1.5% Octet Additive X | 1.5% Octet Additive X + 0.075% Additive Y | |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Discharge (mAh) | 3.89 | 5.23 (+34%) | 4.87 (+25%) |
| Coulombic Efficiency | 93.8% | 93.2% | 96.7% (+2.9%) |
Impact: Over $80M in Projected Value
The optimized electrolyte is expected to generate:
- Greater energy density over the battery’s life
- Higher manufacturing throughput thanks to higher energy-density batteries
- Long-term additive stability, validated in post-cycle analysis
All together, these benefits represent more than $80 million in added value through product performance and process improvements.
Talk to Octet
Ready to boost economic impact and speed scale-up for your aqueous grid-scale battery?
Schedule your Octet consultation now.
