Stanford University research: a new kind of rechargeable battery that could hold far more energy than today’s standard lithium-ion cells.

A new battery startup emerging from Stanford University research, Energia Power Systems, is drawing attention for what it calls a breakthrough in the science of energy storage.

At the heart of Energia’s pitch is a new kind of rechargeable battery that could hold far more energy than today’s standard lithium-ion cells. The company’s founders are building on research from Stanford that successfully created a rechargeable metal-chlorine battery, a chemistry long thought to be too unstable for everyday use. If it works at scale, the technology could dramatically extend the range of electric vehicles, improve the reliability of renewable energy storage, and lower costs across the battery industry.

If it works at scale, the technology could dramatically extend the range of electric vehicles, improve the reliability of renewable energy storage, and lower costs across the battery industry.

For decades, scientists have known that pairing metals like sodium or lithium with chlorine could, in theory, deliver exceptional energy density — meaning more power stored in less space. But these “metal-chlorine” batteries were considered non-rechargeable, as each use caused irreversible chemical changes. Stanford researchers recently found a way to overcome that limitation by developing a special carbon-based material that captures chlorine inside tiny pores, preventing it from escaping as gas and allowing the battery to recharge safely. Energia Power Systems is now taking that laboratory breakthrough into the real world.

According to the company, its prototypes already show promising results: higher voltage, lower cost materials, and stable performance over dozens of charge cycles. The batteries use common and inexpensive elements such as sodium and aluminum trichloride, which could reduce the world’s reliance on rare minerals like lithium and cobalt. Energia says its design is simpler to manufacture than many next-generation batteries now in development, potentially offering a smoother path to scale-up.

The implications could be far-reaching. Affordable, long-lasting batteries are key to unlocking clean energy — storing solar and wind power when it’s abundant and releasing it when needed. They’re also crucial for electric vehicles, drones, and even aerospace applications. Energia claims its chemistry could deliver up to six times the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries, a leap that could redefine what’s possible for energy storage.

Still, the company faces steep challenges ahead. Transforming an early-stage university discovery into a commercial product requires years of engineering, safety testing, and investment. Scaling up any new battery chemistry from the lab to mass production is notoriously difficult. Yet Energia’s founders are optimistic, arguing that their technology’s combination of high performance and low material cost could finally shift the balance.

By opening its fundraising round to the public, Energia hopes to attract early believers to join what it describes as a mission to “redefine the future of power.” Read the pitch deck here.