Greenville, South Carolina Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
Soteria Battery Innovation Group Inc. has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for its breakthrough in lithium-ion battery safety and longevity. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 12009472, titled ‘Long cycle-life wound lithium-ion battery cells having metallized film current collectors’, introduces a novel battery architecture that enhances both performance and safety.
Soteria’s design replaces traditional solid metal current collectors with metallized polymer films. These films act like internal fuses, burning out around short circuits to prevent thermal runaway. This innovation not only mitigates fire risks but also allows the battery to continue functioning after damage.
The wound cell structure, combined with the flexible metallized films, accommodates expansion and contraction during charge cycles. This flexibility reduces mechanical stress, leading to a significant increase in the battery’s cycle life. Additionally, the use of less metal decreases weight and material costs, while improving energy density.
This advancement holds promise for applications in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and energy storage systems, where safety and longevity are paramount. Soteria’s innovation represents a significant step forward in making lithium-ion batteries safer and more reliable for widespread use.