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The materials informatics startup Aionics is expanding into aviation, aiming to use machine learning tools to develop safer, more performant batteries for electric aircraft without waiting on next-generation battery cells.
As part of this expansion, California-based Aionics said it has entered into a joint development partnership with an undisclosed electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft manufacturer, and has recruited former Wisk CEO Gary Gysin as an advisor. The expansion is supported by a seed extension funding round led by Philip Sarofim’s Trousdale Ventures and UP.Partners, with additional support from the University of Michigan’s venture investment program and Avila VC. The amount of the funding round was not disclosed.
Related: Goop, gulp and glow: Imagining the paths to a 1,000 Wh/kg battery
The startup previously concentrated much of its attention on the electric vehicle space, but its new area of emphasis is not surprising, given that one of its co-founders, Venkat Viswanathan, now leads the electric aviation battery program at the University of Michigan. Viswanathan’s research extends to the highly aspirational, as with his pursuit of a 1,000 Watt-hour per kilogram battery for transportation. Aionics, however, is squarely focused on the near term, primarily tinkering with new electrolyte formulas that can be dropped into existing battery cells to deliver immediate improvements.
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