The world is facing a significant challenge: the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries has raised concerns about their environmental impact and energy efficiency. To address this, a Central Florida company, C-Batt, has been working on a sustainable solution – a new material called “Obsidia” that could replace graphite, an essential component of most lithium-ion batteries.

What We Know

• C-Batt is a Central Florida startup based in Oviedo, Florida.
• The company has been operating since 2013 and recently received a $1.2 million federal grant to advance its research, particularly in recycled graphite.
• The Obsidia material is not only sustainable and more energy-efficient but also domestically sourced, offering a strategic alternative to the Chinese-dominated graphite supply chain.

The Obsidia Production Process

The Obsidia production process starts with coal sourced from West Virginia. The material is combined with resin, formed into plates, heated into glass-like chunks, and then ground into Obsidia powder. This powder can be customized for various battery applications, from smartphones to electric vehicles to military-grade devices.

What We Don’t Know

While C-Batt has made significant progress in developing Obsidia, there are still many questions surrounding its full performance metrics, production capacity, and regulatory approvals.

• C-Batt has not yet publicly released data on Obsidia’s full performance metrics or how it compares in efficiency, cost, and longevity to existing graphite-based batteries on a commercial scale.
• Details about production capacity, supply chain readiness, and partnerships with major manufacturers remain sparse.

The Backstory

C-Batt began as a spinoff project incubated at the University of Central Florida’s business development program. The team has spent the past seven years developing Obsidia, operating largely under the radar.

“Our vision is to reimagine a traditionally maligned fossil fuel into something valuable and sustainable,” said Bill Easter, C-Batt CEO.

The Big Picture View

The effort by C-Batt ties into broader national and global efforts to secure critical technologies and reduce dependence on international materials. The move to develop a domestic alternative to graphite has significant commercial and national security implications.

• The use of Obsidia could create local jobs and establish Central Florida as a hub for next-generation energy solutions.
• The technology has the potential to reshape the battery industry’s global dynamics.

What They’re Saying

Company leaders and engineers are enthusiastic about the potential impact of Obsidia.

• “So what we’re trying to do is improve the energy efficiency of batteries as well as come up with a domestic source for these batteries,” said Bill Easter, C-Batt CEO.
• “Our material is very exciting because it’s a domestically sourced replacement for the Chinese graphite. That makes up 98% of the anode side of most batteries,” said Josh McConkey, C-Batt’s commercialization director.

Josh McConkey also highlighted the military implications, recalling a conversation with a veteran.

“I asked them, like, ‘How would it help you if the batteries that you have you lug around for your radios and now drones weigh less?’ and one of the responses to me was, ‘Well, ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain,’”

What’s Next

C-Batt plans to start production of Obsidia by the end of the year and can make the material in bulk in Central Florida. The company is working to advance its research and secure regulatory approvals to ensure the technology is ready for mass deployment. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO

The sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries is a game-changer in the world of clean tech innovation. With C-Batt’s Obsidia material, the company is working to revolutionize battery technology and reduce dependence on international materials. As the technology advances, it will be exciting to see how it impacts the battery industry and the world at large.