DARPA needs new powerful batteries for the Department of War. But China just built them.
DARPA and the Pentagon hope to build revolutionary new batteries that will power the next generation of weapons systems.
But the global supply chains and manufacturing centers for batteries run through China.
China has tight export restrictions on battery technologies that are intended for military use.
Chinese researchers lead the field in advanced battery tech for heavy equipment, drones, and aircraft.
Closing scene, Nanjing
Resources and links:
DARPA launches program to build next-gen military batteries
https://defence-blog.com/darpa-launches-program-to-build-next-gen-military-batteries/
Atlantic Council, the US needs a comprehensive battery strategy to ensure its battlefield edge
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/energysource/the-us-needs-a-comprehensive-batteries-strategy-to-ensure-its-battlefield-edge/
IEA, Batteries and Secure Energy Transitions
https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/cb39c1bf-d2b3-446d-8c35-aae6b1f3a4a0/BatteriesandSecureEnergyTransitions.pdf
Next-gen ceramic aircraft batteries could enable 621-mile electric flights
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/next-gen-ceramic-aircraft-batteries-flights
Shock in Aerospace as China Reveals High-Energy Battery Capable of Powering Electric Aircraft and Disrupting Jet Age Forever
sustainability-times.com/energy/shock-in-aerospace-as-china-reveals-high-energy-battery-capable-of-powering-electric-aircraft-and-disrupting-jet-age-forever/
Surprise test flight heralds ultra-long-range electric aircraft by 2028
https://newatlas.com/aircraft/catl-worlds-largest-ev-battery-manufacturer-aircraft/
China firm sets 2027 target for electric plane with 1,800 mile range
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/chinas-battery-electric-aircraft-1800-mile
Application-driven design of non-aqueous electrolyte solutions through quantification of interfacial reactions in lithium metal batteries
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-025-01935-y
ProLogium and Elysian Aircraft BV Sign MoU：Exploring Next generation Battery Applications in Aerospace to Advance the Vision of Zero-Emission Aviation and Future Mobility
https://prologium.com/prologium-and-elysian-aircraft-bv-sign-mou%EF%BC%9Aexploring-next-generation-battery-applications-in-aerospace-to-advance-the-vision-of-zero-emission-aviation-and-future-mobility/
CATL electric plane to support 2,000 km flight
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202406/25/WS667a5675a31095c51c50ab4d.html
Quantitative mapping reveals key failure mechanism
https://www.batterytechonline.com/materials/catl-achieves-breakthrough-in-lithium-metal-battery-technology
Chinese electric trucks pay for themselves in five years. They may be half the market in three.
https://youtu.be/cHQzZvU2VeU
China Now Controls Nearly 70% of the World’s EV Batteries
https://www.autoblog.com/news/china-now-controls-nearly-70-of-the-worlds-ev-batteries
