Donut Lab's 'solid-state' battery exposed as regular li-ion in investigation

4 hours ago

A comprehensive investigation by Ziroth, involving over 20 independent battery experts, concludes that Donut Lab's 'miracle' solid-state battery is actually a standard lithium-ion cell.
Electrochemical evidence includes voltage curves and cell expansion data showing graphite anode signatures, which are impossible for sodium-ion cells, confirming lithium-ion chemistry.
The investigation reveals a web of companies behind the fraud, tracing technology to CT Coatings, a German firm with unrelated patents, while Nordic Nano never manufactured any batteries.
Donut Lab made false claims, including having a production vehicle shipped in Q1 2026 and promoting a battery with 400 Wh/kg density, while actual tests showed around 298 Wh/kg.
The company raised approximately $25 million from over 1,300 small investors, many through crowdfunding, with promises of up to 10x returns, prompting investigations by Finnish authorities.
The incident is compared to Theranos, targeting small investors lacking resources for due diligence, risking public trust in legitimate solid-state battery advancements by companies like Toyota and Samsung SDI.
The author expresses concern that this fraud could damage public confidence in solid-state battery technology, despite genuine progress in the industry from credible players.

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