Canada's silicon drone battery delivers 2x flight, 50% faster charging

Canada’s NEO Battery Materials has developed a silicon-enhanced drone battery, the NBM Drone Cell, which nearly doubles flight time and enables 50% faster charging compared to a leading Chinese benchmark. In real-world tests using a commercial Korean surveillance drone, the battery increased flight duration from 29.9 to 59.2 minutes under cold conditions, without requiring any modifications to the drone’s propulsion or control systems. The battery achieves this through a silicon-anode structure that boosts energy density to 260 Wh/kg and total capacity to 755 Wh, representing significant improvements over Chinese alternatives. Additionally, the battery maintains stable voltage to reduce power loss risks. The NBM Drone Cell also supports ultra-fast charging rates up to 0.5 Ah per minute, a 150% increase over previous speeds, enhancing operational readiness. With China dominating the drone battery supply chain, NEO’s breakthrough offers a strategic non-Chinese alternative, particularly for defense and unmanned systems. The company is now refining battery