Two really exciting news bits in the “which businesses are coming to Alameda” files. The first is a company that currently exists in Alameda but has been in the news lately because, well, one word: iWatch. Imprint Energy in Alameda is developing a flexible wearable rechargeable battery which should help power all the fancy schmancy wearable technology that is supposedly the wave of the future.
Excerpt from some article or press release:
Imprint Energy, of Alameda, California, has been testing its ultrathin zinc-polymer batteries in wrist-worn devices and hopes to sell them to manufacturers of wearable electronics, medical devices, smart labels, and environmental sensors.
The company’s approach is meant to make the batteries safe for on-body applications, while their small size and flexibility will allow for product designs that would have been impossible with bulkier lithium-based batteries. Even in small formats, the batteries can deliver enough current for low-power wireless communications sensors, distinguishing them from other types of thin batteries.
The company just received a $6 million in venture funding and currently is in hiring mode. They’re headquartered on Harbor Bay.
The second really cool business related news is that a company called Sila Nanotechnologies is moving their battery related business to Alameda from Atlanta, Georgia. Recently they filed an application with the City of Alameda to build some sort of outdoor container to house nitrogen and to house silane which is another gas that I had to Google. Sila Nanotechnologies is looking to move their headquarters and lab space to Mariner Square.
Here’s what Sila Nanotechnologies does:
“Sila is developing a high-throughput technology for scalable synthesis of high-capacity nanostructured materials for Li-Ion EV batteries. The successful implementation of this technology will allow improvements in energy storage capacity of today’s best batteries at half the cost.
Essentially this company is working on making a cheaper battery to lower the cost of electric vehicles.
While Imprint Energy is an existing company, Sila Technologies will be a new one, which will hopefully bring some new jobs to Alameda if some of the team from Atlanta elects not to relocate cross country.
Blogging Bayport Alameda 
Interesting tech! I hope Sila Nanotechnologies plays it safe with the silane, though. It’s great for thin film applications but it’s also pyrophoric in air.
Comment by davesteele — July 29, 2014 @ 9:02 am
MSDS = http://wcam.engr.wisc.edu/Public/Safety/MSDS/Silane%202%25%20in%20N2.pdf
It’s one thing if the battery in your Tesla spontaneously ignites; it’s quite another if the battery on your wrist, or leg or wherever you wear it, bursts into flame.
Comment by vigi — July 29, 2014 @ 9:08 am
Correction on #2: silane isn’t trapped in the battery itself, it’s a process chemical used in the manufacturing process.
Assuming the city has a permit process similar to tech cities down south, an EHS certified auditor familiar with city ordinances should be able to determine if Sila’s setup is safe.
I’m no expert. All I know is that double contained silane prevented a mishap from being much worse in the tech crazy 90s…
Comment by davesteele — July 29, 2014 @ 9:29 am
Store it in the concrete building at the end of the base , if they burn we will not have to send the AFD , that building was made to store nuclear weapon , no need to expose anyone to unnecessary risk , the location is perfect as well cannot make any distinction between the Navy’s pollution and theirs . silane is made of industrial grade silicone and hydrogen , my question is simple how will they transport thru the city these gas or compound.
Comment by joel Rambaud — July 29, 2014 @ 1:30 pm