L. Xue, Y. Kutsovsky, A. Girau
Group1,
United States
Keywords: K-ion battery
Summary:
Group1 is the world's first company commercializing a non-flammable, critical-mineral-free, "Made-in-Texas" battery that strengthens national security by enabling a fully domestic supply chain for energy storage. The key innovation behind this is the potassium-ion battery (KIB) , enabled by the Potassium Prussian White (KPW) cathode, a breakthrough material that makes KIBs commercially viable. Dr. Leigang Xue invented KPW while working as a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Professor John B. Goodenough at UT Austin. Professor Goodenough, a 2019 Nobel Prize laureate and co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery, laid the scientific foundation for this innovation, enabling the energy density and stability needed to establish KIBs as a viable alternative to lithium-based storage solutions. Group1 has demonstrated a 3.7V critical-mineral-free KIB in a cylindrical 18650 form factor, with an energy density pathway to 200Wh/kg. The current cell supports 4C (15-min) charge rates and 20C (3-min) discharge rates, delivering exceptional power densities of 1,326W/kg. Additionally, KIBs provide fundamental safety advantages due to potassium’s high intercalation potential than lithium in graphite, reducing the risk of K-metal plating, a key cause of thermal runaway events. Potassium’s larger ionic radius enhances diffusion, allowing compatibility with non-flammable, high-viscosity solvents, further mitigating thermal risks. Additionally, the oxygen-free crystal structure of the KPW cathode removes a critical combustion component, contributing to KIBs' inherently non-flammable nature. Prioritizing safety and high performance, KIBs are ideally suited for high-power energy storage applications, including frequency regulation and peak shaving, where reliability and fast response times are essential. Moreover, KIBs offer substantial cost advantages over LFP-based lithium-ion batteries, with potential cost reductions of up to 15% at scale. This reduction stems from lower raw material costs—potassium is 1,000 times more abundant than lithium and can be sourced from potash—as well as environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and a fully domestic supply chain that eliminates reliance on lithium and copper. Furthermore, KIBs are fully compatible with existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing infrastructure, ensuring seamless industry adoption with minimal capital investment. Group1's KIB technology delivers a critical-mineral-free, safe, and high-performance energy storage solution, supporting the transition to a secure, sustainable, and domestically driven energy future.