Smoltek is a Gothenburg-based materials technology company that specializes in research and development of applications based on carbon nanofibers, which can create new products with revolutionary properties.
Smoltek Hydrogen has made a significant technological breakthrough. The R&D team has successfully grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs) over an A4-sized area, marking the first time such a large CNF-covered material sample has been fabricated. This breakthrough is a crucial step towards industrial scalability of carbon nanofiber coating, which is a key step in developing the porous transport electrode for PEM electrolyzers and similar solutions for fuel cells being developed by Smoltek Hydrogen.
Smoltek has been awarded a new patent in the Discrete CNF-MIM patent family. The protected innovation in this patent family discloses a discrete capacitor component based on our CNF-MIM technology. This also brings our IP portfolio to comprise 91 granted patents.
Smoltek's CNF-MIM technology offers a competitive alternative to silicon capacitors for ultra-thin high-performance capacitors used in processors for mobile phones and computers. The next-generation capacitors, Gen-One, is planned to be completed by the end of 2024, matching competitors in performance with an exceptionally thin form factor. The strategic objective is to pair up with a financially strong partner for the industrialization and commercialization of the capacitors.
Smoltek’s board of directors has a new member: David Gramnaes. He is the CEO of Gramtec Venture, an investment company within the Gramtec group – one of Smoltek’s longest-standing investors and largest shareholder. In this interview, you get to know him and gain insight into how his experiences have shaped him and how this influences his work on the Board. He also talks candidly about Smoltek’s history and future and the turmoil surrounding Yageo.
Smoltek has received a new patent for improving the capacitance density of our CNF-MIM capacitors. This innovation, a type of capacitor, can increase the capacitance density by two to three times, which is crucial for Smoltek's business and technology growth.
During the spring, we have had John Schack, a master’s thesis student, with us at Smoltek Hydrogen who has been working on the synthesis of carbon nanofibers (CNF) – where we have adjusted the growth recipe to use hydrogen as input instead of ammonia.
Towards scalability of industrial carbon nanofiber growth: The development of the industrial manufacturing concept for Smoltek Hydrogen’s Electrolyzer Cell Material is at its final stages, with aim on being finalized during 2024. As a stepping stone, the capability in the company’s existing Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) tool has been extended and A4 size plasma has been achieved. This is a crucial step towards industrial scalability of carbon nanofiber growth.
Smoltek Nanotech Holding AB carried out a rights issue during May and June, which was subscribed to 86.4 percent. As a result, approximately SEK 22.4 million was added to the company, before issue costs.
Smoltek Hydrogen has developed a new material that solves the major technical challenge that threatens to halt the fast-growing industry for green hydrogen produced by intermittent energy sources, such as solar and wind power. With the groundbreaking nanomaterial, the use of iridium (catalysts) in PEM electrolyzers can be reduced to levels that make large-scale hydrogen production profitable.
Smotek Semi is taking the next step in the development of the CNF-MIM capacitor technology, in technical collaboration with Yageo. And the next generation – Gen-One is expected to deliver a fivefold increase in capacitance density compared to Gen-Zero.
Smoltek Hydrogen and AGC Plasma Technology Solutions have finalized the design of a Prototype Coater for industrial growth of carbon nanofibers. The purpose with the tool is to verify that the nanofibers can be grown using a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) technology from AGC. The technology is scalable and can be extended to be used for substrates of several square meters, for future mass production.