2024 PBN Innovative Companies Awards
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: Audiance Inc.
INNOVATION ISN’T JUST some buzz word randomly tossed around at Audiance Inc. It is central to the company’s mission.
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Founded in 2017, Audiance, a rechargable battery developer based in Narragansett, is focused on developing safe, stable and versatile rechargeable batteries for a range of applications. The company’s first product – a long-lasting and safe battery for medical devices – was designed to enable an implantable cochlear implant, allowing it to operate for more than 15 years without the need for battery replacements.
“We enjoy solving complex problems and trying new things,” said Hailey Simon, Audiance’s head of operations. “We stay on top of industry breakthroughs and constantly explore new ideas through internal research and development projects, which not only advances the company’s technological capabilities but also facilitates an exciting, fun and dynamic work environment.”
Audiance’s batteries utilize its proprietary gel polymer electrolyte, allowing for safe performance for more than 5,000 charge and discharge cycles without any capacity loss, whereas typical lithium-ion batteries lose 20% of their capacity after about 500 charge/discharge cycles. The electrolyte is highly viscous and does not flow, ensuring it will not leak. Additionally, it is self-extinguishing, which eliminates chances of catastrophic failure, such as a fire.
Audiance batteries have gone through two iterations of third-party testing by Cochlear Ltd., the world’s largest cochlear implant company. Performance results were classified internally as “outstanding” and Cochlear has expressed an interest in contributing funds to help drive Audiance forward.
In August, the company was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract with NASA to explore battery operation within extreme temperatures, minus 60 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius. As a part of this work, Audiance adapted its core electrolyte to function within this temperature range. The company was also awarded significant external funding totaling $1.5 million through various grants and prizes, including SBIR Phase I and Phase II grants from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, a microbattery prize from the U.S. Department of Education, and multiple matching grants from R.I Commerce Corp.
(CORRECTION: Minor fixes throughout to correct spelling of Audiance Inc.)
