San Francisco It hisses, hums and whispers: In the laboratory of battery specialist Silla Nanotechnologies, giant test stations lined up one after another. In new experiments, dozens of researchers are optimizing various batteries to make them even more powerful. “We’re building the battery of the future,” enthuses company founder Jean Berdychevsky.

Engineer trained at Stanford University, the electric car maker had employee number seven Tesla, Eleven years ago he started his company with Silla on Alameda Island in the Bay of San Francisco. Goal: To bring anode-like battery technology made from silicon to series production from the laboratory. It aims to further improve the lithium-ion batteries, which are installed in most electric cars today.

Since the technology behind lithium-ion batteries was patented in 1982, new cell designs, chemical optimization, and production changes have led to drop in prices and increased performance. Big technological leaps are yet to come.