South Carolina Patent of the Month – March 2025
Soteria Battery Innovation Group has introduced a groundbreaking solution to mitigate e-bike battery fires. Their patented technology, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 12,249,684, titled “Lithium storage device with improved safety architecture,” employs a thermally insulating, fire-retardant blanket designed to prevent fire propagation between battery cells.
Innovative Safety Architecture
The core of this innovation lies in its honeycomb-structured barrier, inspired by aerospace composites. This design envelops individual battery cells, significantly reducing the risk of thermal runaway—a primary cause of battery fires. The material, akin to those used in firefighter gear, adds minimal weight and cost, making it a practical addition to existing battery packs.
Real-World Impact
E-bike battery fires have raised safety concerns globally. Soteria’s solution addresses this by offering an easy-to-install, lightweight, and cost-effective method to enhance battery safety. The technology’s adaptability extends beyond e-bikes, with potential applications in power tools, robotics, and medical devices.
Industry Collaboration
Soteria is collaborating with industry leaders like DuPont and Mitsui & Co. to license and distribute this technology widely. Their commitment to open licensing aims to set a new standard in battery safety across various sectors.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
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The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
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