Gaussion

Gaussion is a magneto-electrochemistry company that has developed a technology to enhance battery performance. A spin-off from University College London (UCL), the company was founded in 2021 by Dr. Thomas Heenan and Dr. Chun Tan. The concept originated in 2017 within the UCL Electrochemical Innovation Lab, where the founders' work with particle accelerators inspired them to apply similar technologies to commercial battery challenges. Dr. Heenan, the CEO, hypothesized the core technology during his undergraduate studies and has since focused on the intersection of electromagnetism and electrochemistry.

The company’s core product, known as MagLiB™, utilizes an external, dynamic magnetic field during charge and discharge cycles to steer ions within existing lithium-ion battery cells. This process reduces internal resistance, which allows for significantly faster charging times—demonstrated to be up to 67% faster on commercial cells—and decreases cell degradation, thereby extending battery life. The technology is designed to be chemistry-agnostic, allowing it to work with current and future battery technologies without altering the core components of the cells.

Gaussion's business model involves producing and selling its products, as well as potentially licensing its technology. The primary market is the electric vehicle (EV) industry, addressing the critical challenge of slow charging speeds that hinder mass adoption. However, the technology has broad applications across other sectors, including construction equipment, mining operations, residential energy storage, and utility-scale energy storage. The company raised £2.85 million in a seed round in 2022 and followed with a $12 million Series A funding round in August 2024, led by Autotech Ventures, with support from existing investors BGF and UCL Technology Fund.

Keywords: magneto-electrochemistry, battery charging, EV charging, magnetic field technology, lithium-ion battery, battery performance, cell degradation, energy storage, transportation electrification, rapid charging, battery technology, cleantech, deep tech, battery lifespan, energy transition, automotive technology, UCL spin-off, electromobility, grid storage, sustainable technology