Advanced battery cell inspection for the EV revolution
Liminal Insights
Founded by top technologists from Princeton University, Liminal Insights is catalyzing a clean energy future in which EVs are the default option for everyone.
Investment rationale
Challenge
As electric vehicles are reaching cost parity, sales are expected to increase exponentially from 3 million units in 2020 to more than 60 million by 2040. And as automakers are already ramping up their EV production, the battery industry is scaling at never seen before rates. To meet sustainability targets, battery cell production needs to grow by ten times its current volume this decade while reducing the cost by more than 40 percent, without sacrificing quality and consistency. As a battery pack is only as strong as its weakest cell, automotive OEMs frequently build 10% extra cells into battery packs to reduce the risk of lower performance. Still, undetected process issues cause poor in-field reliability.
Technology
Liminal is providing better data and analytics in EV battery manufacturing. Their advanced inspection and analytics platform Echostat combines ultrasound with machine learning to provide visibility inside batteries throughout the manufacturing process. EchoStat identifies issues when the error occurs, reducing scrap and costs while increasing the overall quality of cell production. This allows customers to catch and resolve design or production flaws in real time, quickly improving quality and productivity and minimizing the exposure to defects. In addition, measuring in real time whether production steps have been completed leads to faster production time, higher equipment utilization rates, and lower cell cost.
Competitive advantage
In the complex world of battery manufacturing, Liminal’s approach to inspecting battery cells is game-changing. They are the only in-line, high-speed ultrasound inspection solution engineered specifically for EV-grade batteries. Inter alia, this helps to improve battery quality and reduce costs as it avoids over-building batteries. Their highly differentiated and high-speed inspection solution empowers battery manufacturers to scale production volumes more quickly and meet cost targets, while ensuring their cells meet stringent EV safety and performance requirements.
Founders
No founders found
Investment fund
ArcTern Ventures
ArcTern is a Canadian venture capital firm aiming to build a sustainable global economy by investing in early-stage companies that help decarbonize the highest GHG emitting sectors such as energy, manufacturing, transportation and food.
