Piersica Secures $1.9 Million U.S. Army Phase II SBIR Contract to Accelerate Development of Ultra-High Energy Density Batteries
Piersica, an emerging leader in next-generation battery innovation, has announced that it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract valued at approximately $1.9 million by the United States Army. This new contract represents a significant milestone for the company as it continues to advance its groundbreaking ultra-high energy density battery technology, designed for both defense and commercial applications.
This award follows the successful completion of Piersica’s Phase I SBIR contract with the U.S. Army, which concluded in November 2024. That Phase I contract laid the groundwork for the company’s continued partnership with the military by demonstrating the technical feasibility of its novel battery technologies. Upon meeting the performance benchmarks and innovation criteria set during Phase I, Piersica became eligible to submit a Phase II proposal under the Army’s “Energy Demand Reduction and Clean Energy Tech” solicitation. The U.S. Army SBIR Program awards Phase II contracts to small businesses whose concepts show promise for advanced development and the potential to transition into acquisition programs that support Army modernization priorities.
“We are honored and excited to have received Piersica’s third Army SBIR Program contract in just the last three years,” said Claudiu Bucur, CEO of Piersica, Inc. “This latest funding will play a critical role in supporting the continued maturation of our proprietary battery technologies. As we move closer to commercialization, this contract will help us develop and refine energy storage solutions that are vital to the future of defense operations, including portable electronics, autonomous vehicles, electric ground transport, and directed-energy weapon systems. We deeply value our ongoing relationship with the U.S. Army and are committed to providing them with transformative energy solutions.”
Bridging Innovation and Defense Needs
The SBIR Phase II contract not only provides Piersica with financial support but also grants access to a wealth of expertise within the U.S. Army’s research and development infrastructure. This includes consultation with technical experts, acquisition professionals, and operational subject matter specialists who can help align Piersica’s innovations with the Army’s evolving battlefield requirements.
These collaborations are intended to guide companies like Piersica in aligning their R&D efforts with real-world military applications. Through mentorship and strategic feedback, Piersica will gain valuable insight into the practical integration of its technologies into Army acquisition pathways, significantly increasing the likelihood of deployment in future Army systems.
The Phase II effort will span approximately 15 months and will focus on advancing the company’s battery cell architecture to meet the Army’s demanding performance standards. During this period, Piersica will concentrate on demonstrating the feasibility of its ultra-high energy density cell through a combination of laboratory testing, material optimization, and system-level integration. The company’s goal is to validate a cell prototype with exceptional energy density, high capacity, and superior cycle life—key metrics that must surpass current state-of-the-art battery technologies.
A Technological Leap in Energy Storage
At the heart of Piersica’s innovation are several proprietary breakthroughs that differentiate its technology from existing lithium-ion solutions. The company has developed a novel polymer-based electrolyte system and a lithium-conductive fiber anode mat that allow for significantly greater energy storage without compromising safety, weight, or longevity.
These materials contribute to the creation of lighter, more compact battery cells capable of powering advanced electronic systems for longer durations. The benefits extend across a range of applications, including consumer electronics such as smartphones and laptops, electric vehicles (EVs), and military-grade platforms like drones, unmanned ground vehicles, wearable electronics, and tactical power systems.
“The demand for higher energy density batteries continues to grow across multiple sectors,” Bucur explained. “By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in battery chemistry and materials science, Piersica is developing solutions that meet the needs of today’s warfighters and tomorrow’s connected devices.”
Enabling Next-Generation Military and Commercial Applications
As modern military systems become increasingly electrified, the need for reliable, high-performance power sources becomes more pressing. Piersica’s work directly supports the Department of Defense’s (DoD) push to reduce its logistical footprint, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the operational capabilities of soldiers in the field.
For instance, a drone equipped with a longer-lasting battery can operate for extended durations, cover greater distances, and carry heavier payloads without the need for constant recharging or battery swaps. Similarly, wearable systems that monitor vital signs, communications equipment, or augmented reality (AR) interfaces become more practical and dependable with improved power sources.
Beyond defense, the implications of Piersica’s work stretch into fast-growing industries like electric aviation, robotics, and next-gen consumer electronics. With battery performance often cited as the limiting factor in these markets, the arrival of ultra-high energy density technologies could unlock new product categories and business models.
One potential application lies in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, a segment within the urban air mobility (UAM) sector. These aircraft require lightweight and compact batteries with extremely high energy densities to be viable. Piersica’s innovations, once fully validated and scaled, could play a key role in realizing this vision of sustainable urban flight.
Proven Track Record and Ongoing Momentum
The new Army contract marks Piersica’s seventh SBIR award to date and its second Phase II contract. Over the last three years, the company has secured a total of $3.8 million in non-dilutive SBIR funding from multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Army, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Air Force via its AFWERX program. This level of funding demonstrates both the technical credibility of Piersica’s work and the confidence that federal partners have in its potential to deliver impactful technologies.
Each award has helped the company make incremental progress toward its vision of commercializing next-generation battery systems. Piersica’s growing portfolio of intellectual property and technical achievements is positioning it as a key player in the future of energy storage, not only within government-funded programs but also in the broader clean energy and high-performance electronics sectors.
With this new contract in hand, Piersica will expand its R&D and prototyping activities, building out its laboratory capabilities, hiring additional engineering talent, and strengthening its collaborative ties with the Army’s innovation ecosystem. The company anticipates that the technology developed under this contract will not only benefit military platforms but also transition into commercial markets where energy performance, weight, and durability are critical.
“Our mission is to engineer solutions that have a real-world impact,” said Bucur. “Whether that’s enhancing soldier survivability and mission readiness or enabling the next generation of consumer tech and electric mobility, Piersica is committed to delivering the battery technologies of the future.”
As energy remains a strategic priority for defense and commercial sectors alike, companies like Piersica are poised to play a pivotal role in transforming how power is generated, stored, and used. With the support of the U.S. Army and the broader SBIR community, Piersica’s work represents not just scientific advancement—but a step toward a more energy-resilient and capable future.