Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology, offering advantages in cost, resource availability, and safety. Academic and industrial collaborations are playing a pivotal role in accelerating research and development in this field. These partnerships leverage complementary expertise to overcome technical challenges, from material discovery to cell engineering. Below is a detailed profile of key collaborations driving innovation in sodium-ion battery technology.
One of the most notable academic-industrial partnerships is between the University of Bordeaux and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), collaborating with industrial players like Tiamat and RS2E. This consortium has made significant strides in developing high-performance cathode materials, particularly layered oxides and polyanionic compounds. Their joint research has led to multiple patents on electrode formulations and cell architectures optimized for sodium-ion chemistry. Tiamat, a spin-off from this collaboration, is now scaling up these technologies for commercial applications, focusing on stationary storage and mobility solutions.
In China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has partnered with CATL, a global leader in battery manufacturing, to advance sodium-ion battery commercialization. CAS has contributed fundamental research on hard carbon anodes and Prussian blue analogs, while CATL has integrated these materials into pouch and prismatic cell designs. Their joint efforts resulted in one of the first publicly disclosed sodium-ion battery systems with energy densities competitive with some lithium iron phosphate batteries. The collaboration has also yielded shared intellectual property, particularly in electrolyte additives that improve cycle life.
The United States has seen significant collaboration between Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and companies like Natron Energy. PNNL’s expertise in computational modeling and materials science has been instrumental in optimizing Prussian white cathodes, while Natron Energy has focused on industrial-scale production of aqueous sodium-ion batteries. Their partnership has produced several patents related to non-flammable electrolyte systems and high-power electrode designs. Natron Energy’s pilot production facility benefits directly from PNNL’s research on electrode processing techniques that reduce manufacturing costs.
In Japan, a consortium including Kyoto University and Toyota Motor Corporation has been exploring sodium-ion batteries for automotive applications. Kyoto University’s work on sulfide-based solid electrolytes has been combined with Toyota’s expertise in large-scale battery manufacturing. This collaboration has led to breakthroughs in interfacial stability between solid electrolytes and electrodes, addressing one of the critical challenges in solid-state sodium-ion batteries. Their joint patent portfolio includes innovations in thin-film deposition techniques that enhance ionic conductivity.
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) has partnered with Faradion, a UK-based sodium-ion battery developer, to improve the energy density of oxide-based cathodes. Fraunhofer IKTS brings expertise in ceramic processing, enabling the development of high-voltage cathode materials with improved structural stability. Faradion has commercialized these materials in pouch cells targeting renewable energy storage. The collaboration has also explored sodium-ion battery recycling, with shared research on hydrometallurgical recovery methods for electrode materials.
South Korea’s KAIST has collaborated with Samsung SDI to investigate dual-ion intercalation mechanisms in sodium-ion batteries. KAIST’s fundamental research on anion-cation co-insertion has informed Samsung SDI’s development of high-capacity anodes. Their joint publications highlight novel carbonaceous materials with expanded interlayer spacing, enabling faster sodium-ion diffusion. While Samsung SDI has not yet commercialized sodium-ion batteries, this partnership has strengthened its intellectual property position in next-generation energy storage.
In Sweden, Uppsala University and Northvolt have established a joint research initiative focused on sustainable sodium-ion battery materials. Uppsala’s expertise in bio-based binders and aqueous electrode processing aligns with Northvolt’s commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing. Their collaborative projects have explored lignin-derived carbon anodes and water-based cathode slurries, reducing reliance on toxic solvents. This partnership has filed patents on eco-friendly cell assembly methods that lower the carbon footprint of battery production.
India’s Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has partnered with Altmin to develop sodium-ion batteries for tropical climates. IIT Madras has contributed research on thermally stable electrolytes, while Altmin has worked on modular battery pack designs for high-temperature environments. Their collaboration addresses unique challenges such as humidity-induced degradation and thermal management in sodium-ion systems. Jointly developed prototypes have demonstrated improved performance under accelerated aging tests at elevated temperatures.
A cross-border collaboration between the UK’s University of St Andrews and China’s HiNa Battery Technology has advanced the development of low-cost sodium-ion batteries for grid storage. St Andrews’ research on sodium superionic conductor (NASICON) materials has been integrated into HiNa’s cell designs, resulting in improved rate capability. The partnership has produced shared intellectual property on composite solid electrolytes that enable safer operation at higher temperatures. HiNa’s demonstration projects in China incorporate these materials in large-scale energy storage systems.
The European Union’s Horizon 2020 program has funded several multi-partner projects focused on sodium-ion batteries. The NAIMA project, coordinated by CIC energiGUNE in Spain, brings together 15 organizations from academia and industry across Europe. Participants include the Technical University of Denmark, Varta, and Leclanché, working on everything from advanced characterization techniques to pilot production lines. This consortium has established a shared database of material properties and performance metrics, accelerating the development cycle for new sodium-ion battery formulations.
In Australia, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has partnered with Li-S Energy to adapt lithium-sulfur battery manufacturing techniques for sodium-ion systems. CSIRO’s expertise in nanotechnology has enabled the development of sulfur-doped carbon anodes with enhanced sodium storage capacity. Li-S Energy’s roll-to-roll production capabilities have been modified to accommodate sodium-ion electrode coatings. Their collaboration has yielded patents on hybrid anode architectures that combine hard carbon with conductive polymer networks.
These collaborations demonstrate the global nature of sodium-ion battery research, with academic institutions providing fundamental insights and industrial partners translating these discoveries into scalable technologies. The shared patent portfolios emerging from these partnerships indicate a robust innovation pipeline, while joint publications reflect the depth of scientific exchange. As sodium-ion battery technology matures, these collaborative models will likely expand, bringing together diverse expertise to address remaining challenges in performance, cost, and sustainability. The interplay between academic research and industrial application continues to be a driving force in advancing sodium-ion batteries toward broader adoption.