Daqus Energy, a stealthy startup spun out of MIT, has been quietly working on a revolutionary new battery material that promises to be cheaper and lighter than its competitors. The company has emerged from stealth mode with a $6 million seed round led by Morningside, and is touting its proprietary material, known as TAQ, as a game-changer for the electric vehicle (EV) industry.

According to Harish Banda, co-founder and CEO of Daqus, TAQ has shown remarkable performance in early testing, outperforming traditional battery materials in key metrics. "We have not seen a metric at which TAQ does poorly compared with the incumbents," Banda said in an interview with TechCrunch. The material replaces the cathode in a lithium-ion battery, and is made entirely of widely available carbon-based compounds, eliminating the need for expensive critical minerals like nickel or cobalt.

The implications of TAQ are significant, particularly for the EV industry. Traditional lithium-ion batteries are heavy and expensive, making them a major cost component for EV manufacturers. TAQ, on the other hand, is not only cheaper but also lighter, making it an attractive option for automakers looking to reduce costs and improve performance. Additionally, TAQ is made in the US, making it an attractive option for American automakers looking to qualify for tax credits.

The manufacturing process for TAQ is also more energy-efficient, requiring only 120 degrees C to synthesize, compared to 700-800 degrees C for traditional lithium-ion batteries. This reduced energy requirement could lead to significant cost savings for battery manufacturers. Furthermore, existing anode manufacturing equipment can be used with TAQ, allowing for the use of water as a solvent instead of the toxic NMP, which needs to be captured and recycled.

Daqus has been producing coin cells in its lab space in Massachusetts, and internal tests have shown TAQ to be durable and stable. The company claims that TAQ-based batteries can be charged and discharged 2,000 times and maintain at least 80% of their original capacity, and are stable at high temperatures. This could enable fast charging times of just six minutes for EVs.

While there are still challenges to overcome, including scaling up production and integrating TAQ into commercial EV batteries, the potential of this new material is undeniable. As Banda notes, "Lots of car companies in the world are trying to make electric cars... What's the difference between a Rolls Royce versus a Tesla? Sure you have better seats, but in terms of the core of the car, it used to be the engine. Now, it seems to be the battery."

The impact of TAQ could be felt beyond the EV industry, particularly in the sports car market, where weight has been a major penalty of electrification. A lightweight, fast-charging battery pack could make electric sports cars feel more special, and give them a competitive edge over their gas-powered counterparts.

As the EV industry continues to evolve, innovations like TAQ could play a crucial role in driving adoption and reducing costs. With its $6 million seed round, Daqus Energy is well-positioned to bring this game-changing technology to market, and could potentially disrupt the entire EV ecosystem.