Recyclable sodium batteries are set to transform energy storage in California and beyond. On September 25, 2025, the California Energy Commission awarded a $2 million grant to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Livermore-based startup DarmokTech. This partnership aims to develop sodium polymer-based batteries as cost-effective and recyclable solutions for energy storage needs.
Why Sodium Batteries Matter
Sodium batteries hold significant promise for addressing the limitations of Lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion technology dominates devices like phones and laptops but comes with challenges, including leakage, short circuits, and even fire risks. Additionally, lithium scarcity makes it difficult to scale for broader grid applications, especially as energy demands surge in the age of artificial intelligence.
Sodium-based batteries, paired with solid polymer electrolytes, provide a safer and more resource-efficient alternative. These technologies are recyclable and less reliant on rare materials, making them ideal contenders for optimizing future energy storage systems.
The $2 Million Collaborative Grant
The recently awarded $2 million grant will fund research over three years. DarmokTech will focus on designing battery cells capable of non-shredding recyclability. Traditional battery recycling processes require intensive shredding, which is both expensive and commercially impractical on a large scale. This innovative design aims to change the game.
Johanna Schwartz, a polymer chemist at LLNL, emphasized the project’s importance. She explained that non-shredding disassembly allows easy access to battery electrodes. This simplifies the recycling process, enabling regeneration and reuse with minimal effort. Schwartz stated, “If we can pull apart electrodes instead of shredding them, it opens the door to scalable, cost-effective recycling.”
Using Cutting-Edge SPOC Technology
LLNL will leverage its patented Studying-Polymers-On-a-Chip (SPOC) technology to develop high-performance polymer electrolytes for these batteries. SPOC accelerates material testing and optimization, doing away with traditional manual processes. By automating mixing, deposition, and screening of polymer materials, researchers can quickly identify and advance the most promising formulations.
Schwartz highlighted the impact of SPOC. “Testing polymer composites by hand is labor-intensive and repetitive. SPOC can autonomously screen materials and collect data for machine learning algorithms. This shifts us toward faster, more reliable optimization.”
The goal of this collaboration is to create a sodium battery with a polymer electrolyte that meets energy storage requirements. The final product will also be commercially viable for manufacturing and distribution, enabling improved grid resilience and reliability.
Advancing Energy Storage Technology
DarmokTech and LLNL’s efforts represent the type of public-private partnerships crucial for bridging scientific innovation and commercial application. Through LLNL’s Innovation and Partnerships Office (IPO), the Laboratory has actively worked to safeguard intellectual property and develop entrepreneurial opportunities. This has led to successful collaborations like the current one with DarmokTech.
LLNL Business Development Executive Austin Smith emphasized the Laboratory’s commitment to advancing U.S. competitiveness and national security through industry partnerships. “This grant exemplifies how our technologies transition from research to real-world solutions,” said Smith.
Schwartz’s involvement in LLNL’s entrepreneurship programs also played a vital role in connecting with DarmokTech. Their partnership officially began in 2022 during the National Lab Accelerator Program, which included Silicon Valley investor pitches. This ongoing collaboration continues to drive innovation toward scalable energy solutions.
Looking Ahead
Work has already begun on this groundbreaking initiative. Over the next three years, LLNL and DarmokTech aim to develop and deliver sodium batteries that align with California’s energy storage priorities. These batteries promise accessibility, efficiency, and recyclability — all crucial for meeting the growing demand for sustainable energy.
As the project progresses, the partnership will focus on perfecting polymer electrolytes, ensuring compatibility with DarmokTech’s innovative designs, and preparing the product for commercialization. This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to shaping the future of energy storage technology while prioritizing sustainability and reliability.
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