India-based Log 9 aims to use graphene to improve the capacity of lead-acid batteries by 30%

Indian start-up Log 9 Materials reports a technological breakthrough using graphene to improve the capacity of lead-acid batteries by 30%. "The life cycle had also increased by 35%", Log 9's CEO and founder stated.

We are close to commercialization and trying to partner up with existing players in the market to cater to different needs of batteries in different applications, i.e operational requirements are quite different for a car battery as compared to a storage battery for solar panel applications, he said. So far the interest has been from domestic players including the defense sector. Some of them are interested for automobile applications, others for solar energy storage, etc".

According to Log 9, the novelty lies in improving the efficiency of lead batteries at a commercially viable price. It is cheaper — more energy can be stored per unit mass — and the battery life has been extended. Previously a battery life of two years is now almost three. "At Log 9 our focus has been on the affordability of graphene-based products. We have formulated a series of graphene formulations suited for different battery applications.

Log 9 Materials, based in Bangalore, began its life as a graphene and nanoparticles manufacturer in July 2014. Capital raised from Asian private equity firm GEMS (General Enterprise Management Services) in March enabled the company to set up a 4,000 sq ft R&D facility in Mathikere, Bangalore and a 1,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Deoband in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Log 9 began its series ‘A’ fundraising this October and says it will have five new ready to market technologies by the middle of 2018.