CIA venture In-Q-Tel backs battery startup

LONDON – In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the Central Intelligence Agency, has invested an undisclosed amount in Imprint Energy Inc., a startup developing zinc-based rechargeable battery technology.

In-Q-Tel also reached a technology agreement that Imprint Energy (Alameda, Calif.) said would broaden the development of the battery technology and characterize its performance for multiple applications.

Imprint's Zinc Poly technology offers an alternative to a lithium-ion polymer approach, with particular applicability to small portable electronics, the company said. Electrochemistry progress has removed the longstanding limitations on the recharging of zinc-based batteries.

Imprint Energy’s batteries can be printed and patterned using low-cost equipment and manufacturing processes that are highly scalable. The privately held company was founded in 2010 based on research conducted at the University of California at Berkeley.

"Imprint Energy's technology advancements fall in an area of important interest for both our government customers and the broader commercial market," said Syd Ulvick, a senior vice president at In-Q-Tel.

Imprint Energy, founded in 2010, is included in version 13.0 of the Silicon 60 list of emerging startups published by EE Times.


Related links and articles:

www.imprintenergy.com

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