Chicago-headquartered NanoGraf Technologies, which claims it has enabled the world’s most energy dense 18650 lithium-ion cell, today announced that it will open the first large-volume silicon oxide factory in the United States. At peak production, NanoGraf will produce 35 tons per year.

NanoGraf Corp. has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Government to develop what will be the first large-volume manufacturing facility in the U.S. for silicon anode, a key component in batteries, including those that power electric vehicles.