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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Valerion Energy, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based advanced materials company has received an investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to advance the commercialization of its ultra-thin battery separation technology. Valerion Energy is dedicated to sustainable, durable energy storage, improving existing battery chemistries, and exploring alternatives to conventional lithium-ion.
Valerion’s approach relies on a proprietary separator incorporating aramid nanofibers designed to address key challenges in current battery technologies, including reducing transit of dissolved polyions, suppressing dendrite elongation, and reducing electrolyte content. By addressing these technical challenges, the company aims to extend battery life and improve efficiency for applications in mobility, aviation, and defense. With this advanced separator, Valerion Energy seeks to become a leading material supplier for battery manufacturers focused on high-density, sustainable energy storage.
Valerion Energy is led by Founder Dr. Nicholas Kotov, a prominent nanomaterials expert and Director of the NSF Center for Complex Particle Systems, along with CEO Jim Graham, who brings extensive finance and investment expertise to the company’s commercialization efforts.
“Advances in materials science are central to the future of electrification, and Valerions’ technology is a major step forward,” said Dr. John Tran, Venture Associate at Michigan Rise. “With demonstrated potential to reach energy densities around 500 Wh/kg—almost double that of conventional lithium-ion batteries—Valerion is positioned to deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions for next-gen energy storage.”
The investment from Michigan Rise will support the development of a pilot prototype, a critical milestone in Valerion Energy’s path toward commercialization and a sustainable future in energy storage.
