Focusing on clean tech and renewals, Influit Energy, has created the world’s first high-energy density nanofluid flow battery system
CHICAGO -- Influit Energy, a Chicago-based startup and Illinois Tech/Argonne National Laboratory spinout, was recently selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Transformational Capabilities Office to develop a new high energy density flow battery system for both defense and commercial applications.
Under the Expeditionary Energy Campaign, Influit Energy will build upon its ongoing work under the AFRL and focus its efforts on ruggedization of design, environmental testing under operational conditions, and optimization for scalable manufacturing.
“We have developed a rechargeable battery that features the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, at half the cost, with rapid refueling and tremendous capabilities,” said John Katsoudas, co-founder and CEO, Influit Energy. “We’re extremely appreciative for the continued support from our sponsors and tremendously excited to share in their forward-thinking vision of the future.”
This recent win by Influit Energy follows on the heels of a separate $2M award the firm received from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in January 2022 for the optimization of a terrestrial mobility system.
Influit Energy’s tech utilizes earth abundant materials in a water-based fluid creating the world’s first high energy density nanofluid flow battery. Whereby the battery nanofluid is treated as an electric fuel that can be refueled in three minutes and is rechargeable, non-flammable, non-explosive, and non-consumable.
Since the company’s founding in 2014 they have garnered support from the National Science Foundation, NASA, DARPA, Air Force, and the Defense Innovation Unit.
On the investment side, Influit Energy has made the strategic decision to come out of stealth mode and is presently engaging the private investment community to map out their next steps.