Dimien

Dimien, Inc. operates as a materials science company with a strategic focus on the battery technology sector. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Brian Schultz, the company emerged from chemical research conducted at the University at Buffalo. Initially, Dimien developed solar-responsive window films but pivoted its focus to address the growing demand for advanced energy storage solutions. The company's core offering is a proprietary vanadium-based cathode material, known as zeta vanadium oxide (ZVO). This material is engineered to provide a combination of high energy density and enhanced safety, aiming to overcome the fire risks associated with conventional NMC and NCA cathodes.

The company's business model centers on supplying this cathode active material to battery manufacturers. Dimien's technology is designed to be a "drop-in" ready solution, compatible with existing lithium-ion manufacturing processes. This approach targets clients such as automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and battery producers, with potential applications in electric vehicles and domestic energy storage. A key differentiator for Dimien is its commitment to a resilient and domestic supply chain. The ZVO cathode is made from earth-abundant materials that can be sourced in North America, specifically avoiding conflict minerals like cobalt and other materials such as nickel and graphite which are often sourced from geopolitically sensitive regions.

The founder's journey began during his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University at Buffalo, where laboratory discoveries led to the company's formation. Dr. Schultz's motivation was to translate fundamental research into tangible products with real-world impact. The company received support and resources from the university's incubator network and funding from entities like Launch NY and the National Science Foundation. In October 2024, Dimien's assets, including its intellectual property, manufacturing equipment, and experienced team, were acquired by Pure Lithium Corporation. This strategic acquisition was designed to accelerate the commercialization of Pure Lithium's lithium metal vanadium (LVO) battery by pairing their lithium metal anode with Dimien's ZVO cathode technology. Following the acquisition, Dr. Schultz joined Pure Lithium as the Vice President of Business Development and Technology.

Keywords: vanadium cathode, zeta vanadium oxide, ZVO, battery materials, energy storage, lithium battery, electric vehicle batteries, cleantech, cathode active material, domestic supply chain, North American manufacturing, advanced materials, battery safety, energy density, Pure Lithium, Brian Schultz, University at Buffalo, Launch NY, cobalt-free batteries, nickel-free batteries