Amprius partners with Matternet on drone delivery batteries

Amprius Technologies partnered with Matternet to provide silicon anode lithium-ion cells for autonomous drone delivery operations. The collaboration uses Amprius SiCore lithium-ion cells to improve drone battery performance, targeting longer flight range, higher payload capacity, and faster charging turnaround. Matternet’s FAA-certified autonomous delivery drones are used to transport medical supplies and retail packages across urban corridors in the United States and Europe. The partnership addresses constraints in autonomous aerial logistics driven by battery energy density and charging speed. Silicon anodes store far more lithium ions than graphite, enabling lighter battery packs and longer flight times, which supports heavier cargo and more efficient operations.

"Amprius Technologies, the Fremont-based maker of high-energy-density silicon anode batteries, has announced a partnership with Matternet, one of the few drone delivery companies to hold both FAA Type Certification and Production Certification. The collaboration will see Amprius supply its SiCore® lithium-ion cells for Matternet's autonomous delivery drones, a move that could meaningfully extend the range, payload capacity, and turnaround speed of commercial drone logistics networks."

"The deal pairs Amprius's high-energy-density SiCore cells, which deliver up to 450 Wh/kg, with Matternet's FAA-certified autonomous delivery drones, aiming to extend flight range, increase payload capacity, and speed up charging turnaround. The collaboration will see Amprius supply its SiCore® lithium-ion cells for Matternet's autonomous delivery drones, a move that could meaningfully extend the range, payload capacity, and turnaround speed of commercial drone logistics networks."

"Conventional lithium-ion drone batteries rely on graphite anodes, which impose hard limits on energy density and, by extension, on how far and how fast a drone can fly while carrying a useful payload. Silicon can store roughly ten times more lithium ions than graphite, which translates directly into lighter battery packs, longer flight times, and heavier permissible cargo."

"Amprius's SiCore cells deliver up to 450 Wh/kg and 1,150 Wh/L, with the company positioning the technology as a way to overcome one of the most stubborn constraints in autonomous aerial logistics: battery performance. By improving energy density, the batteries can support longer missions and greater payloads for commercial drone delivery networks."

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