THE POWER OF WATER
The only fast-charging aqueous zinc battery to handle rapid power fluctuations
No risk of thermal runaway
Innovation
The innovation behind our zinc battery is our low cost, water-based hydrogel separator
Made from widely available components
Maximises electrolyte concentration for high power performance
Applications
Data Centres
To safely manage rapid power demand and drop off
Utility-scale
Facilitates grid management and the growth of renewable energies
Behind-the-meter
Energy storage for commercial and industrial properties
Management Team
Jane Hunter
Dr Shelley Brown
Prior to Zinc, Shelley worked as the Battery Technology Adviser for bp, before becoming Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President of Launchpad & Ventures bringing together and leading bp's incubator, growth accelerator (Launchpad) and capabilities in venture capital, technology commercialisation, intellectual asset management and technology insights to create a world-class innovation engine.
Previous experience includes Technology and Business Development Director of Battery Materials at Johnson Matthey plc, Manager in Technology and Innovation at AGL Energy, and CEO of VSPC, a startup scaling novel process technology to manufacture battery materials.
Marcus Scott
Previously as CFO and COO of TheCityUK for 10 years, he was responsible for leading the company’s strategy development and day to day implementation, winning the Global Excellence 2017 award for the Industry Association CFO of the year. He represented TheCityUK in the media, on overseas projects in collaboration with British Embassies around the world and gave parliamentary evidence to the Treasury Select Committee and Lord’s Home Affairs Committees on various issues affecting the Financial and related Professional Services industries, one of the UK’s most successful industries.
Dr Ed Marshall
Anne Gager
Board of Directors
M. Alen-Buckley
Jane Hunter
Lord M. Spencer
I. Wright
P. Hutton
A. Bamberg
W. Heathcote
Dr Shelley Brown
Marcus Scott
News & Press
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Superdielectrics has launched its next generation aqueous polymer battery, marking a significant technological upgrade. Introducing the Faraday 2.
This launch marks a major milestone in the company’s mission to revolutionise energy storage with a safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The Faraday 2 builds on the success of the Faraday 1 prototype, being a major step towards the offering of a fridge-sized residential energy storage unit capable of reducing household electricity bills by 85% or more.
Developed from advances in contact lens polymers, Superdielectrics’ internationally patented technology uses abundant, non-toxic materials and contains no critical or rare earth metals. With a full charge time of just 30 minutes, significantly faster than a traditional battery, the Faraday 2 is designed to store surplus renewable energy efficiently, enabling flexible tariffs and greater energy independence for homes. This innovation addresses the growing need for scalable energy storage across Europe’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector, and also offers a transformative solution to lower electricity costs, enhancing energy security.
Key advantages of the Faraday 2 include:
- Safe: Unlike lithium-ion batteries, approximately 50% of the technology is water-based, eliminating the risk of thermal runaway which is a fire-safety hazard.
- Low cost: The technology does not rely on critical metals making its materials cheaper than lithium-ion batteries with securer supply chains.
- Sustainability: Built with readily available, materials that are easily recyclable.
- Long lifecycle: Potential for even longer use than existing batteries.
- Energy density potential: Currently outperforming lead-acid batteries and with ongoing R&D efforts to surpass currently available lithium-ion energy storage capacity in the future.
Jim Heathcote, CEO of Superdielectrics, commented:
“The launch of Faraday 2 is a major step towards a low cost and clean energy future, as well as a key milestone for us as we work towards a commercial product. As the world shifts towards renewable energy, storage is the technological bottleneck. Our technology is low cost, safe and recyclable, helping the world in the global transition to sustainable energy.”
Julian Lennertz, Chief Commercial Officer at E.ON Next, commented:
“The transition to cleaner energy is about making that energy more affordable and sustainable, and our partnership with Superdielectrics is one of a huge number of ways we are working to help customers take control of their energy by making energy storage widely available. We are delighted to be a part of the Superdielectrics journey, sharing insight into how millions of customers use energy and what they need to benefit from a smarter energy system. The launch of Faraday 2 is an important milestone in the evolution of battery design using readily available materials – and is yet another world-leading innovation designed and developed in the UK.”
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Cambridge, UK based Superdielectrics Group Plc has developed a breakthrough energy storage technology. The new technology stems from an ongoing collaboration with leading researchers at the University of Bristol who identified and validated the key mechanisms involved.
The Company’s vision is to create affordable, sustainable, energy systems. This could mean affordable grid independent energy anywhere in the world. Such systems require economically viable energy storage. The energy storage market is currently dominated by lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. The Company’s patented new polymer-based energy storage technology solves the issue of dealing with rapidly fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy which makes it difficult to store solar and wind energy economically.
Superdielectrics’ energy storage technology combines electric fields (physics) and conventional chemical storage (chemistry) to create a new aqueous polymer-based energy storage technology. The Company is today formally launching the Faraday 1, its state-of-the-art hybrid energy storage technology. The technology behind the Faraday 1 has completed over 1 million hours of testing to create a system that already has the ability to significantly out perform lead-acid batteries and has the potential, with further development, to match or exceed existing Lithium-ion batteries.
The technology behind Faraday 1:
- Aqueous polymer-based technology that solves the issues of storing fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy.
- Highly efficient store of energy that charges over 10 times faster than lead-acid batteries with high cycle life.
- Safe store of energy – negligible fire risk.
- Low costs – uses readily available abundant raw materials.
- Recyclable.
- Huge scale of addressable opportunity with $50bn/year lead-acid battery market including electric scooter, forklift and off grid markets.
Jim Heathcote, CEO of Superdielectrics, commented:
“The team at Superdielectrics has worked incredibly hard to develop a ground-breaking technology that has the potential to revolutionise the energy storage market. Our breakthroughs deliver the potential, at last, to create the sustainable, global decentralised energy systems that the world desperately requires.
The properties that our technology possess enables it to compete with and exceed current solutions in the energy storage arena across a number of key metrics whilst leading the way in sustainability, recyclability and affordability.
This is a remarkable achievement by all concerned and we now look forward to commercialising our platform and products – we have seen global interest in our technology.”
Professor Marcus Newborough, Director of R&D of Superdielectrics, commented:
“The combination of the benefits of rapid charging and sustainability used for energy storage now make it possible to create worldwide affordable and clean energy systems.
In the future, the continuing development of our pure supercapacitor technology could surpass all existing battery technologies.”
Professor David Fermin, Head of the Bristol Electrochemistry and Solar Team and Net Zero Ambassador for the University of Bristol, added:
“It is a privilege to be part of the most exciting technology in the energy sector that I have seen involving our organisation. These state-of-the-art supercapacitors have the potential to become a game-changer in energy storage. Superdielectrics’ devices are not only highly competitive against mature technologies in terms of energy and power density, but they are also free of critical elements, using earth-abundant materials with a lower environmental impact than other energy storage technologies. I can see Superdielectrics developing into a major player in this global market, providing safe and affordable sustainable energy for everyone.”
Professor Phil Taylor, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise from the University of Bristol, said:
“Superdielectrics’ technology offers a new route to developing a clean energy system.”
Enquiries: please contact us via our contact page or directly on +44 (0) 1223 679 460.
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The sustainable electrical energy storage specialist secures Suite 2 in the Science Village
Cambridge, UK, 15 February 2021: Chesterford Research Park is delighted to welcome material research company Superdielectrics to the Park’s prestigious Science Village.
Superdielectrics is developing high energy density, low cost, low environmental impact electrical energy storage devices that will help create a clean and sustainable global energy and transportation system. Supercapacitors store energy using electrodes and electrolytes and both charge and deliver energy quickly, unlike conventional batteries which perform the same task in a much slower way with the added hazard of end-of-life waste. Superdielectrics’ supercapacitors are safe, fast, contain no rare materials or conflict metals and have the added benefit of reducing pollution and waste.
Superdielectrics join fellow Science Village occupiers including Diagnostics for the Real World, Camena Bioscience and Oxford Nanopore in this energy-efficient, high-quality building, so stimulating company is guaranteed.
Jim Heathcote, CEO, Superdielectrics said: “Superdielectrics Ltd is delighted to have taken research and development laboratories at Chesterford Research Park. We are developing a completely clean and sustainable energy system using our unique high energy density supercapacitor materials.
“We are driven by strong environmental and social values which are shared by Chesterford Research Park. These are exciting times as we strive to tackle fundamental scientific problems that could reduce global poverty and starvation while cleaning up the environment.”
Chesterford Research Park provides an innovative and future-proofed environment for both established and early-stage biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and development companies. In addition to Superdielectrics, the Park is home to technology and life science innovators including Arecor, AstraZeneca, Lonza, Charles River Laboratories, Cambridge Epigenetix, Domainex and Oncologica.
Julian Cobourne, Senior Asset Manager, Aviva Investors, joint owners of Chesterford Research Park with Uttlesford District Council added: “I am thrilled that the innovative team at Superdielectrics will be continuing their ground-breaking work at Chesterford Research Park. With its focus on sustainability and the environment, Superdielectrics’ aims are complementary to that of the Park.
“Integral to the Cambridge biotech cluster, Chesterford Research Park continues to attract leading bioscience ventures. The fitted nature of the Science Village remains extremely popular with companies seeking ‘plug and play’ facilities, which negates the requirement for a protracted and sometimes expensive fit-out process. Superdielectrics are in good company in this truly unique setting with stunning natural parkland surroundings.”
Careers
Embracing Diversity & Innovation
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex,
national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity –
because we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation.
Current vacancies
Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term 6 months)
Laboratory Research Technician (Fixed Term 6 months)
The job holder will be part of the Technical Operations Team working collaboratively to execute the agreed plans and achieve key targets as set by the Technical Leadership Team.
Direct reports: Individual Contributor
Do you enjoy hands-on work with precision and attention to detail? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge battery research in a supportive and collaborative environment?
We are looking for a Laboratory Research Technician to support our R&D team by preparing, assembling, testing, and performing quality checks on electrochemical cells. You will work closely with scientists, engineers, and fellow technicians, helping to ensure consistent, high-quality results.
Reporting to the Head of Technical Operations and working within the Applications Team, you will be a vital contributor to reach our operational goal of delivering a clean, safe, affordable and sustainable energy storage system. It is an exciting time to join the close-knit team at SuperDielectrics as we grow from a start-up and target high-growth markets.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support a variety of laboratory activities in conjunction with the Technology Team as assigned by the Head of Lab Operations.
- Preparation and curing of polymer membrane materials to defined SOPs.
- Preparation of key laboratory materials including electrolytes and electrodes.
- Construction of electrochemical cells and cell stacks (Including small-scale cells to mechanical assembly of cell stacks).
- Testing of electrochemical cells using battery / cell testing equipment to defined test protocols.
- Ensuring that the highest standards of H&S and laboratory housekeeping are maintained at all times and setting a good example for other colleagues. Contribute to, and support, the Superdielectrics’ positive safety culture.
- Checking & calibrating certain pieces of laboratory equipment, ensuring equipment is properly looked after & reporting any issues to the laboratory manager.
- In conjunction with the rest of the technician team, monitoring lab stocks, reporting order requirements to the senior technician or Lab. manager, receiving deliveries and booking chemicals onto the inventory system.
- Contribute to, and support, the innovation environment at Superdielectrics by collaborating with colleagues and by sharing ideas and undertaking joint projects. The laboratory technician will frequently collaborate with scientists, engineers and technical leaders.
- Ensure the safe and efficient use of various processes and equipment, including maintenance and fault reporting.
- Any other duties as required commensurate with the level of the role.
Person Specification:
- Level 3 qualifications (A-Level, NVQ) or above in a science/engineering related discipline (Level 2 with solid amounts of previous laboratory experience will also be considered).
- Previous experience with wet chemistry techniques and/or using chemical analysis equipment (FTIR, UV-Vis, TGA etc.) is desirable.
- Some experience with light fabrication/assembly would be an advantage (use of drills, countersinks, presses, hand tools etc.).
- Experience in calibration/validation of laboratory equipment and/or materials would also be useful.
- Careful, methodical approach to assembly, material preparation and testing.
- Willingness to learn new techniques and a broad understanding of the scientific method.
- Tidy, organised approach to record-keeping and laboratory housekeeping.
- Good IT knowledge, experience in using MS Office and scientific applications.
- Understanding of workplace H&S in a laboratory context and understanding of 5S and/or other continuous improvement tools.
- Past experience working in a project-oriented R&D environment would be highly advantageous.
- Experience / understanding of the particular demands of working in SME environments (and having an adaptable, positive and flexible approach to work) is also advantageous.
Why join us:
- Work in a collaborative, inclusive, and ethical environment.
- Gain hands-on experience in advanced battery R&D.
- Opportunity to develop skills in assembly, quality control, and lab processes.
- Candidates with a production or quality background and a strong attention to detail are strongly encouraged to apply.
Apply for this Role
Contact Us
info@superdielectrics.com
Address
Superdielectrics Ltd
Chesterford Research Park,
Little Chesterford,
Cambridge
CB10 1XL
Company registration number: 08536866
VAT number: 193 650 979
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