NanoGraf Corporation

What NanoGraf Corporation does

NanoGraf Corporation is a Chicago-based battery materials company that develops and manufactures proprietary silicon oxide (SiOx) anode materials and enabled 18650 lithium-ion cells. Founded in 2012 as a spinout from Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory and originally operating as SiNode Systems, the company rebranded in December 2018. Its core technology is a metal-doped silicon oxide core wrapped in graphene that, combined with proprietary pre-lithiation, allows silicon content of up to 25% in the anode versus the 5-7% typical of competing silicon anodes. This architecture addresses the volumetric expansion problem that has historically prevented silicon anodes from commercializing at scale.

The company's product portfolio spans silicon anode materials and finished cells. Onyx™, launched in December 2024, is an EV-ready silicon anode material claiming 30% cell-level energy density improvement and cost parity with synthetic graphite at scale. The M38 18650 cell delivers up to 15% longer runtime for military applications and has been selected by Thales Defense & Security for tactical radios; the 3.8Ah and 4.0Ah 18650 cells hold industry benchmarks at 800 Wh/L and 810 Wh/L respectively. NanoGraf operates manufacturing in Chicago (17,000 sq ft at 400 N. Noble St. and 67,850 sq ft at 455 N. Ashland Ave., opened Q1 2024) and is building a 2,500-ton-per-year facility in Flint, Michigan under a $60M DOE grant.

Revenue is generated primarily through U.S. Department of Defense contracts and direct sales to defense contractors, with the FAStBat program as a flagship engagement, alongside nascent commercial sales of Onyx silicon anode material to EV manufacturers and consumer electronics companies. The company has raised approximately $100M in venture funding led by a $65M Series B in February 2023, supplemented by over $45M in DoD contracts and a $60M DOE grant. Go-to-market is enterprise sales-led via DIU, Army DEVCOM, and direct B2B relationships with prime defense contractors and EV OEMs.

Name

NanoGraf Corporation

Legal name

NanoGraf Corporation

Website

https://nanograf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NanoGraf Corporation is a Chicago-based battery materials company that develops proprietary silicon oxide anode materials and 18650 lithium-ion cells for U.S. military, EV manufacturers, and consumer electronics customers, with manufacturing in Chicago and a 2,500-ton-per-year Flint, Michigan facility under construction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Battery Materials and Energy Storage

NAICS

Battery Manufacturing (33591), Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing (335)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Anode Materials Manufacturing (Graphite, Silicon, LTO) (EUAFABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battery Cells (Li-ion, LFP, Sodium-ion, Lead-acid, NiMH) (IMAGAHAA), Battery Cell Manufacturing (EV) (IMACACAB)

Keywords

• Silicon anode materials
• Lithium-ion battery technology
• Battery cell manufacturing
• Energy storage solutions
• Military battery systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. U.S. Department of Defense Contracts: Multiple contracts with U.S. Army and Department of Defense for developing and supplying silicon anode batteries for military applications including tactical radios, night-vision goggles, and other soldier equipment. Contracts include development work and production orders for cells.
2. Defense Contractor Sales: Direct sales of silicon anode batteries to defense technology contractors such as Thales Defense & Security, Inc. for integration into military communication systems.
3. Silicon Anode Material Sales: Sale of proprietary Onyx™ and other silicon anode materials to EV manufacturers, consumer electronics companies, and battery manufacturers. Material is produced domestically in Chicago with expanded production planned in Flint, Michigan.
4. Licensing and Technology Transfer: Working with over 50 companies including leading consumer electronics, household appliance, and power tool brands, and over 12 strategic partners in electric mobility. Potential licensing of technology and materials.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NanoGraf Corporation develops and manufactures proprietary silicon oxide (SiOx) anode materials and high-energy-density 18650 lithium-ion battery cells. Its technology replaces graphitic-based anodes to deliver higher energy density, extended runtime, and improved cycle life for U.S. military applications, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and medical devices. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Chicago and is expanding to Flint, Michigan.

Product overview

NanoGraf Corporation is an advanced battery materials company that has developed proprietary silicon anode technology for lithium-ion batteries. The company offers a portfolio of products centered on its silicon anode materials and enabled 18650 battery cells. Key products include Onyx™ (EV-ready silicon anode), the M38 18650 cell (for military applications), the 3.8Ah 18650 cell (world's most energy-dense at 800 Wh/L), and the 4.0Ah 18650 cell (industry benchmark at 810 Wh/L). The company operates manufacturing facilities in Chicago and Flint, Michigan, and focuses on applications spanning military, consumer electronics, medical devices, and electric vehicles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Onyx: EV-ready silicon anode material with cost parity to synthetic graphite, delivering 30% improvement in cell energy density and 30% increase in EV range.
• M38

Products and services

• Onyx™ Silicon Anode Material
• M38 18650 Lithium-Ion Cell
• 3.8Ah 18650 Lithium-Ion Cell
• 4.0Ah 18650 Lithium-Ion Cell
• Silicon Anode Materials (SiOx)

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% improvement in cell energy density compared to synthetic graphite anodes
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• U.S. Department of EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2024$60M grant under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to retrofit Flint, Michigan facility for silicon anode production. Part of $175M total investment creating one of world's largest silicon anode facilities. Additional funding from Michigan's Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund.
• North American Building Trades UnionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2024Project labor agreement for approximately 200 construction jobs at Flint, Michigan facility.
• United SteelworkerssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2024NanoGraf signed neutrality agreement with United Steelworkers. Committed to partnering with union should majority of employees wish representation.
• Thales Defense & Security, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 August 2024Major defense contractor selected NanoGraf's M38 18650 silicon anode batteries for multiband software-defined tactical hand-held radios for U.S. military. Batteries power mission-critical military communications equipment.
• U.S. Army / Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2024Family of Advanced Standard Batteries (FAStBat) initiative. Contract worth up to $15M for developing cross-compatible batteries for soldiers. DIU leverages commercial technologies to standardize battery development for defense applications. Total DoD funding to NanoGraf reaches $45M.
• South 8 TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2023Joint development partnership combining NanoGraf's silicon anode with South 8's LiGas liquefied gas electrolyte for safer, higher-performance lithium-ion batteries. Received over $500K joint award from U.S. Army DEVCOM for cold temperature and safety testing. South 8's $6.4M subcontract under FAStBat program supports domestic battery production. Collaboration aims to create universal, accessible, domestically produced energy storage cells.
• U.S. Government / Department of DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022$10M contract to develop first large-volume silicon oxide manufacturing facility in the U.S. Funded onshore manufacturing of high-performance silicon anode materials. First of multiple government contracts totaling $45M+ supporting NanoGraf's technology development and domestic supply chain creation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sila Nanotechnologies: Direct competitor developing silicon-based anode materials to replace graphite in lithium-ion batteries, targeting automotive and consumer electronics OEMs with drop-in silicon anode chemistries. Highly comparable to NanoGraf in product, customer base, and GTM motion.
• Group14 Technologies: Direct competitor producing silicon anode materials (SCC55™) for EV and consumer electronics batteries. Competes head-to-head with NanoGraf in drop-in silicon anode material supply to global cell manufacturers and OEMs.
• Amprius Technologies: Direct peer producing silicon anode lithium-ion batteries (100% silicon anode cells) with industry-leading energy density, serving aviation, defense, and EV markets. Public company (NYSE: AMPX) provides a benchmark for silicon anode commercialization.
• Enovix Corporation: Direct peer developing advanced lithium-ion batteries with proprietary 3D cell architecture and high-silicon-content anodes for consumer electronics and EVs. Public company (NASDAQ: ENVX) and a comparable advanced battery materials play.
• Enevate Corporation: Direct peer developing silicon-dominant anode lithium-ion battery technology for EVs and consumer electronics. Pursues similar drop-in silicon anode licensing and material sales strategy with major OEMs.

Emerging players

• Solid Power: Emerging player in next-generation batteries, focused on sulfide-based solid-state technology rather than silicon anodes. Adjacent competitor for OEM battery partnerships and DoD electrification funding.
• QuantumScape: Emerging player in solid-state lithium-metal batteries for EVs. Public (NYSE: QS) and competing for OEM cell partnerships, but addressing the same energy density pain point NanoGraf targets via a different chemistry approach.

Broad incumbents

• Microvast Holdings: Broad incumbent commercial and specialty battery cell manufacturer offering lithium-ion chemistries for commercial vehicles, ESS, and specialty applications. Competes indirectly through alternative battery chemistry offerings to similar end markets.
• EnerSys: Broad incumbent industrial battery manufacturer with deep defense and specialty power relationships. Public (NYSE: ENS) and supplies motive power, reserve power, and aerospace/defense batteries — overlapping end markets with NanoGraf's defense segment.
• Albemarle Corporation: Broad incumbent lithium and specialty chemicals supplier with growing battery materials exposure (lithium, bromine). Although focused upstream on raw materials, it represents the established incumbent alternative for OEMs evaluating battery material supply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sinode-llc
• Facebookfacebook.com/NUSiNode

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 records

Investors17 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NanoGraf Corporation