Calix Limited, a multi-award-winning Australian technology company, has announced the opening of its BATMn reactor for advanced battery materials by Senator David Van in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria.

BATMn is a $2.7m proprietary electric reactor, based on Calix’s core technology, for producing advanced battery materials, part-funded by the Australian government through the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund. BATMn was successfully commissioned on time and under budget in August, 2019.

Calix is also a participant in the Australian Research Council $6.5m StorEnergy industrial innovation training centre (announced August 2018), the EU Horizon 2020 €3.9m Polystorage (Polymers for Next Generation Electrochemical Energy Storage) program (announced August), and theCalix-led $9.4m CRC-P for Advanced Hybrid Batteries (announced August 2019).

The rapid development of these research and development programs, and the associated international networks including global major industrial companies, is a testament to the potential of Calix’s platform technology, and the successful execution of Calix’s strategy to leverage it into new industries.

Phil Hodgson, CEO, Calix, said, “The rapid growth in electric vehicles and renewable energy is creating a global need for more efficient, cheaper, higher-capacity and more sustainable energy storage options. While a large part of this growth has been enabled through the performance of lithium-ion batteries, the issues around the cost, capacity, safety and sustainability of current lithium-ion batteries will increasingly limit this growth.

“There is a need for advanced materials for lithium-ion batteries that deliver superior performance and safety at lower cost while at the same time reducing environmental impact. With BATMn, and our expanded network of research institutes and major industrial players, this exactly what Calix is trying to achieve.”

Dr Matt Boot-Handford, R&D manager for batteries and catalysts, Calix, said, “Calix collaborates with and has backing from the government, industry, and research institutions including the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and BatTRI-Hub at Deakin University, Monash University, Queensland University of Technology, the European Union and Boron Molecular Pty Ltd. For advanced battery development, this is critical in fast-tracking development and commercialisation of high-performance electrochemical energy storage devices.”

Through BATMn and its partnerships, Calix can also tap into and invest in local talent. The facility will be hosting two PhD students and a post-doctorate researcher with more to follow, through Calix’s involvement in the Australian Research Council funded Industrial Innovations Training Centre, storEnergy based out of Deakin University.  

Phil Hodgson said, “BATMn is a cutting-edge, industry-led centre that positions these students at the forefront of technology. We believe that they will gain valuable industry experience, while at the same time contributing to solving the global challenge of sustainable battery options for the future.”