Former Oil Worker Invents 3D-Printed Battery - CleanTechnica

The Texas-based startup Material has developed an innovative 3D-printed battery technology aimed at integrating energy storage directly into the structure of battery-operated devices. Unlike conventional batteries that add weight and dead space, Material’s approach uses a chemistry-agnostic platform called HYBRID3D™, which combines copper nanowires—synthesized through a novel chemical process—and high-strength plastic. These nanowires, about a thousand times thinner than a human hair, can be 3D printed into any shape and solidified with a laser, allowing for custom-shaped batteries that reduce metal usage by roughly half compared to traditional cylindrical batteries. This integration promises lighter devices, longer run-times, and greater design flexibility. Material recently secured $7.1 million in Seed funding to advance its technology, initially targeting smaller devices such as headsets, drones, and robotics before moving into the mobility sector. The company’s co-founder, Chris Reyes, has a unique background transitioning from oil and gas construction work to earning advanced