Sakuu, developer of the world’s first 3D printed solid-state battery, says it has opened a state-of-the-art, multifaceted engineering hub for its battery platform printing initiatives in the Silicon Valley. This multimillion-dollar buildout follows the recent opening of Sakuu’s battery pilot line facility which currently produces batteries for clients.

“We are in a rapid growth phase due to strong demand for our forthcoming printed batteries,” says Sean Sharif, Sakuu vice president of global supply chain and logistics. “Our new facility paves the way for our first 3D printing platform gigafactory, dubbed Sakuu G-One. The facility will allow our teams to fine tune all aspects of our battery printing technologies to enable swift deployment of our gigafactories.”

Sakuu’s new facility is 79,000 square feet and will be used as the company’s flagship engineering hub. It will house a confluence of teams, including battery, engineering, material science, R&D and additive manufacturing (AM). It will also oversee gigafactory employee training and client product demonstrations. It is estimated to house 115 employees by the first quarter of 2023. It is said the facility will also enable Sakuu to scale its 3D printing battery platform as the company looks to open gigafactories around the world with a total energy output goal of 60 GWh by 2028.

“Sakuu is committed to building an extremely talented workforce that wants to be part of our reinvention of sustainable energy production,” says Robert Bagheri, Sakuu founder and CEO. “We are on a mission to build a company and brand that is driven by transformative products that can leave an impactful legacy for societal and environmental change.”

The new facility will showcase two of Sakuu’s flagship products. First, Sakuu’s Kavian platform which the company says is the world’s first at-scale 3D printing platform capable of rapidly printing safe, ultrahigh-energy density, solid-state batteries in custom shapes and sizes. Second, Sakuu’s nonbattery manufacturing platforms capable of producing medical devices, IoT sensors, and other cutting-edge electrical devices — all produced in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Sakuu’s battery cells are designed to deliver best-in-class performance and safety in a recyclable format. Sakuu’s solid-state batteries will be produced entirely through the Kavian platform in custom or large factory settings, which enables rapid, 3D printed, high-volume, low-cost and sustainable battery production to meet mass market demand.