BEI Lab: Pioneering the Future of Lithium Metal Batteries and Electric Vehicles

 by Richard Park  September 12, 2023 in KOSME Global Program, Transportation

As the world races toward an electric future filled with self-driving cars, drone taxis, and electric vehicles (EVs), one crucial concern lingers – the batteries powering these innovations and charging times and decreasing lifespan after multiple charges have cast a shadow on the electric vehicle market. However, with its next-generation lithium metal battery technology, a South Korean startup, BEI Lab, is set to usher in a new era in the battery market, redefining the future of EVs and beyond.

A Solution to Battery Woes

The world is eagerly waiting for better battery technology. Portable electronics, medical devices, vehicles, and planes need longer lasting, lighter, and safer batteries. BEI Lab’s lithium metal battery is a game-changer, offering double the energy density of traditional counterparts. The most challenging part of battery chemistry is controlling the interface between the solid and electrolyte. BEI Lab’s novel ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) technology overcomes the key interface technical hurdles associated with commercializing higher energy density Li ion batteries.

This remarkable achievement has the potential to revolutionize electric vehicles by significantly enhancing driving range, safety, and fast-charging capabilities. At the helm of this transformative technology are Josiah (Changdeuk) Bae Chang-deuk, CEO/Founder, and David (Youngjin) Yoon, CTO/Co-founder of BEI Lab, who envision a future where batteries no longer limit progress.

BEI Lab aims to lead the charge in high-energy-density lithium metal batteries. The company aims to provide safe, high-performance, and cost-effective solutions for a decarbonized world through innovative materials and processes. 

BEI Lab’s lithium metal batteries offer a range of critical benefits, including extended device lifespans with increased runtimes, convenient charging, reduced risks of thermal incidents, enhanced safety and reliability, versatile applications, and a sustainable solution for a cleaner and greener world.

A Global Presence & Recognitions

Founded in October 2020, BEI Lab has rapidly grown, with a current workforce of 25 employees set to expand to 35 by 2024. Headquartered in Ansan, South Korea, BEI Lab boasts a 750-square-meter headquarters and a 3,300-square-meter pilot factory equipped to drive innovation and manufacturing excellence. 

Their global reach extends to an advanced R&D center in Boston, USA, and a branch office in Tokyo, Japan. Financing totaling $14 million from a Series A funding round and an additional $4 million government grant has fueled their ambitious vision.

The company proudly boasts awards such as BIG3 and inclusion in the Startup 100 list, highlighting their exceptional contributions to the battery technology space. BEI Lab’s relentless pursuit of innovation has earned them a coveted spot in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ ‘Super Gap Startup 1000+ Project.’ This initiative supports over 1,000 startups with unrivaled technology in ten future fields. 

Additionally, BEI Lab secured the 2nd Prize in the K-Startup global accelerator demo day, solidifying its position as a standout among the 80 startups that participated in the accelerator program.

BEI Lab has a clear go-to-market strategy, including commercializing LMB cell technology and providing interphase design and formation technology services to high-energy advanced material suppliers. As BEI Lab continues to break new ground in battery technology, the world eagerly awaits its transformative impact on electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and countless other applications.