As electric vehicles and renewable energy storage become central to the global energy transition, the battery supply chain is under more pressure than ever. In 2024, global battery demand surpassed 1 terawatt-hour, equal to powering 100 million homes for an hour, according to the International Energy Agency. But while demand is booming, the infrastructure to meet it - especially in the U.S. - is still catching up.
The U.S. Push for Battery Independence
For years, the U.S. has relied heavily on foreign sources for battery components and materials. Now, with geopolitical tensions rising and clean energy goals looming, policymakers are trying to change that. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, offered tax credits and incentives to boost domestic battery production. It also introduced restrictions to limit reliance on adversarial nations.
"These policies, as well as support from state and local governments, have significantly accelerated battery manufacturing in the U.S.," said Matt McDowell, a mechanical engineering and materials science professor at Georgia Tech and Carter N. Paden Jr. Distinguished Chair for Innovation in Material Science and Metals Processing. "But we're still in the early stages of building a truly resilient supply chain."
Gleb Yushin, a professor at Georgia Tech and chief technical officer of battery materials company Sila, agrees. "The IRA's FEOC restrictions sent a timely, much-needed market signal to spur demand for battery materials made outside of China and, in turn, investments by cell makers into local suppliers," he said.
Still, reshoring production is no small feat. "It's been great to see increased domestic production of graphite and other components," McDowell added. "This will result in more robust battery supply and lower prices in the long-term."
How New Materials Are Changing the Game
While policy is one piece of the puzzle, innovation is another. For decades, graphite has been the go-to material for battery anodes. But researchers have long eyed silicon as a more powerful alternative - one that can store up to 10 times more charge.
The problem? Silicon swells dramatically during charging, which can damage the battery. "It expands by 300%," Yushin explained. "That's compared to just 7% for graphite."
After years of research, Sila developed Titan Silicon™, a silicon-carbon composite that solves the swelling issue. "It offers 25-35% more energy density, over two times faster charging, and can be dropped into any production line," Yushin said. "Now, the challenge lies in scaling this technology for mass production while staying ahead of market pressures."
Solid-state and lithium-sulfur batteries are also gaining attention for their potential to improve safety and performance. But while McDowell is excited about these technologies, he cautions that they're not yet ready for prime time. "A key focus is developing scalable manufacturing processes to compete with lithium-ion batteries," he said.
Yushin is more skeptical of the benefits. "Solid-state batteries require entirely new supply chains and infrastructure," he said. "Silicon is a perfect replacement for lithium metal - it's stable, reversible, and compatible with existing infrastructure."
What It Will Take to Compete and Lead
The IRA initially generated over $115 billion in clean energy investments, with $69 billion directed toward battery manufacturing. But with parts of the law now under threat of repeal, the future is uncertain.
"Now that most of the IRA stands to be repealed, we will see if a tariff approach can spur the same results," Yushin said. "There's a lot of capital waiting on the sidelines. But without long-term certainty, it's hard to justify the risk."
He also pointed to deeper structural issues. "Capital intensity and the cost of borrowing are primary inhibitors of investment," he said. "Firm purchasing of goods is required to secure financing, but uncertainty over tax credits has cooled demand for local supply."
McDowell believes the solution lies in a broader strategy. "We need to invest in workforce development, research, and infrastructure," he said. "This isn't just about batteries - it's about building an entire ecosystem."
