Sinonus, a deep tech startup from Chalmers University of Technology and KTH, has appointed Markus Zetterström as CEO. With previous roles at Maurten and SKF Group, Zetterström brings extensive experience in strategy and transformation. He will lead Sinonus in commercializing their innovative carbon fiber composites that store electrical energy, enabling energy storage within structural components for various industries, including electric cars and aircraft. This new appointment aims to accelerate the market launch of Sinonus’ groundbreaking technology.
Sinonus has already demonstrated the potential of its technology by replacing AAA batteries in low consumption products in its laboratory. The goal is to expand the technology to larger applications such as IoT devices and eventually to drones, computers, larger vehicles and even airplanes.
Carbon fiber is a strong and light construction material that can store energy electrochemically. Sinonus uses this multi-functionality to create true carbon fiber-based structural batteries that not only store energy but also become an integral part of the product’s structure. This patented innovation represents a significant step forward in streamlining batteries and how they can be used.
The carbon fiber technology in Sinonus originates from Oxeon, another of Chalmers Venture’s portfolio companies. The carbon fiber was used in the propeller blades of NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, chosen by the engineering team for their ultra-light weight and thinness.
“I am happy to have been trusted to take over as CEO of Sinonus. The company’s innovative breakthrough in adding the dimension of electrical energy storage to carbon fiber has the potential to be truly transformative across a variety of industries. I look forward to working with the talented Sinonus team to unlock the full potential of this ground-breaking technology,” says Markus Zetterström.
For passenger aircraft to be powered by electricity, they must be much lighter than today. A weight reduction is also very important for road vehicles, which allows for extended mileage per battery charge.
The batteries in today’s electric cars make up a large part of the vehicle’s weight without fulfilling any load-bearing function. Electric cars can weigh almost 50 percent more than regular cars because of their lithium-ion batteries, causing damage to roads, bridges and parking garages.
A true structural battery can function both as a power source and as part of the structure, for example in a car body.
“Storing electrical energy in carbon fiber may not be as efficient as traditional batteries, but since our carbon fiber solution also has a structural bearing capacity, very large gains can be made at the system level,” explains Markus Zetterström.
The development of structural batteries at Chalmers University of Technology has progressed through many years of research, including earlier discoveries involving certain types of carbon fiber. According to a study from the same university, the introduction of carbon fiber-based structural batteries could increase the range of light electric cars by 70 percent. In addition, the lower energy density of structural batteries would make them safer than standard batteries, especially since they would also contain no volatile substances.
“With his previous experience from Maurten and from leading strategy and transformation at SKF Group, Markus Zetterström is a valuable asset for Sinonus. His expertise will be critical in taking their product from development to successful market launch. Chalmers Ventures are venture builders, which means that in addition to financing, it fits perfectly into our strategy to help Sinonus find the perfect CEO,” says Pontus Ottosson, CEO at Chalmers Ventures.
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