Pasadena-based Sienza Energy has received $5 million in Series A funding from Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, chairman and CEO of Nantworks, to accelerate the design and manufacturing of its game-changing new approach for batteries. Dr. Mory Gharib, founder and Chairman of the Board of Sienza stated: “We are honored and delighted to have a visionary like Dr Soon-Shiong invest in Sienza Energy.” Sienza Energy was incubated out of Caltech, and received funding from Kairos Ventures in an earlier round. Dr. Gharib, who is Hans W. Liepmann Professor of Aeronautics and Bio-Inspired Engineering at Caltech, puts his company’s vision in historic perspective: “We believe our unique 3D electrode architecture will change lithium battery technology the way the transistor changed vacuum tube electronics.”

“We have pursued an interest in battery technology for years and this novel carbon 3D nano-structure of electrodes is one of the most innovative architectures I have seen. This next generation lithium battery could address the world’s need for more efficient energy through a high powered, rechargeable battery for electric vehicles and consumer electronics,” stated Patrick Soon-Shiong. He went on to say: “I am honored to be part of and support the goal of Sienza’s batteries to provide enough storage for solar panels to generate cheap and reliable electricity to every corner of the globe, thus leveraging technology for the common good.”

Dr. Isabelle Dallores, Sienza Energy’s CTO says: “Not only will we enable EV batteries to be built at half the current cost and provide twice the range for the same size batteries, but our process will be environmentally sustainable. We will provide the world with the best green batteries.” Dr. Azin Fahimi, Sienza Energy’s Chief Scientist, describes the revolutionary nature of her company’s battery as “Our patented battery developed at labs at Caltech uses billions of individual 3D nano-structures to form the electrode architecture.”