Mana Battery Wins Battery Innovation of the Year Award
News related to:Mana Battery, Inc · 2 min read
DETROIT, Oct. 16, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Mana Battery, Inc., a Colorado-based developer of high-energy, anode-free sodium-ion battery technology, has been recognized for its innovative approach to battery design. The company was awarded the Battery Innovation of the Year at The Battery Show North America 2026, held October 12-15 in Detroit. This accolade underscores the company's commitment to advancing the battery industry with its proprietary technology.
The award, presented by the Battery Awards, is given to companies that demonstrate innovation, excellence, and leadership in the battery and electric vehicle industry. Mana Battery's anode-free sodium-ion battery cell and its enabling liquid electrolyte technology stand out as key contributors to this recognition. The design eliminates the costly anode active material, allowing for energy density that surpasses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Sodium chemistry, which relies on abundant, domestically available materials, offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.
Tyler Evans, co-founder and CEO of Mana Battery, expressed pride in the team's achievement.
Nick Singstock, co-founder and CTO of Mana Battery, highlighted the importance of the company's liquid electrolyte technology.
Mana Battery is scaling its anode-free sodium-ion cell technology through partnerships with established battery manufacturers. The company has already signed a Joint Development Agreement with Saft, a TotalEnergies subsidiary, to co-develop and commercialize anode-free sodium-ion cells for defense and other markets. Additionally, Mana Battery has signed a second Joint Development Agreement with a global leader in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).
The recognition follows a year of significant commercial and technical progress. In August 2026, Mana Battery announced a Joint Development Agreement with Saft, marking a major step forward in its mission to bring sodium-ion batteries to the market. Since then, the company has continued to advance its technology through government-funded programs, including grants from ARPA-E, the U.S. Army, and the NSF. Mana Battery is also sampling cells and electrolyte to multiple commercial partners, alongside 14 projects with customers including funded Material Transfer Agreements and Cell Testing Agreements.
Founded in 2023 as a spin-out of the University of Colorado Boulder, Mana Battery targets defense, grid energy storage, data center, and electric vehicle applications with batteries that pair safe liquid electrolyte with a supply chain free of critical-mineral constraints. The company's technology promises to offer a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, addressing the growing demand for cleaner and more efficient energy storage solutions.