D5 testing complete; safety characteristics confirmed to be superior to lithium-ion equivalents

Ilika, an independent global expert in solid state battery technology, announces it has completed testing of its Goliath D5 prototypes, thereby further confirming the safety characteristics of Ilika's batteries.

The testing reconfirmed the benefits of Goliath relative to lithium-ion equivalent across a number of key variables - reinforcing the fact that Ilika's cells have the potential to provide electric vehicles (EVs) with lighter, safer, cheaper batteries with longer ranges and faster charging capabilities.

Further to the press release last month, the completion of the testing of the D5 prototypes is a key milestone, with the Company focused on delivering on its minimum viable product (MVP) roadmap, which will underpin licensing opportunities.

The D5 prototype is designed to build on the characteristics of the D4 data point achieved in 2023. This was achieved by optimising the cell architecture to increase Goliath's unique safety value proposition without compromising cell energy density. The key findings from the testing programme provide further validation along the development curve to D8 and MVP samples during calendar year 2025:

• Exceptional results from the nail penetration test carried out by University College London as part of the Faraday Institution funded Safebatt Industrial Sprint programme.
  • The results classify puncturing the D5 prototypes as a EUCAR 3 hazard event, with no leakage, no venting, no fire or flame, no rupture and no explosion. In contrast, puncturing the benchmark lithium-ion battery resulted in a higher EUCAR 6 event, i.e. a rupture accompanied by flying parts of the active mass, fire and flame.
• Components confirmed to be non-flammable by DEKRA, the world's largest independent, non-listed expert organisation in testing, certification and inspection.

• Temperatures during failure approximately 300°C lower than comparable Li-ion cells shown in Accelerated Rate Calorimetry testing carried out as part the Industrial Sprint, by the University of Oxford.

• Improved capacity at higher discharge rates.
  • D5 prototypes can be discharged at twice the rate of P1 prototypes without impacting their capacity.

Improved safety performance of Goliath batteries relative to conventional lithium ion means that EV designers can reduce the mechanical protection and reinforcement that would otherwise be required to protect the battery pack. In turn, this enables lighter and less expensive EV designs that have a longer range for the same amount of energy. The D5 data point makes this improved safety performance clear.

Ilika's CEO, Graeme Purdy, stated: "While our test programme will continue throughout our journey to a minimum viable product, we're delighted with this positive outcome. The validity of the results is enhanced by the independent execution of the tests carried out by University College London and the University of Oxford under the Faraday Institution's Safebatt Industrial Sprint programme and by DEKRA.

"Meeting our D5 milestone pushes our technology further along the curve towards D6, which is a data point for larger area 10Ah batteries, the results of which we expect to announce in November 2024."

The Faraday Institution's CEO, Professor Martin Freer, stated:

"We congratulate Ilika on achieving this milestone on their roadmap to a minimum viable product. The collaboration is a terrific example of the transfer of knowhow from the Faraday Institution community - in this case at UCL and the University of Oxford on the science of battery safety - to deliver impact for a UK battery SME via the Industry Sprint programme."