Critical Resources (ASX:CRR) steps into U.S. solid state battery ecosystem through CEPS membership

Critical Resources has taken a material step beyond laboratory level engagement by securing acceptance as an industry member of the U.S. Centre for Solid State Electric Power Storage, known as CEPS, a National Science Foundation backed Industry University Cooperative Research Centre focused on advancing solid state battery technologies from research through to real world application.

The move formalises an execution framework around the company’s recently announced exclusive option over next generation solid state lithium ion battery technologies sourced from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Highlights

• Accepted as an industry member of the U.S. Centre for Solid State Electric Power Storage

• CEPS supported by the American National Science Foundation

• Evaluation pathway established for solid state battery IP optioned from South Dakota Mines

• Access to multi university research teams and federal grade laboratory infrastructure

• Industry network includes Honda, Mercedes Benz and Nissan

• Strategic linkage between solid state battery development and the Mavis Lake lithium project

The significance of CEPS membership lies in scale and structure rather than novelty.

Instead of operating within a single university laboratory environment, Critical Resources is now embedded in a coordinated, multi institutional research platform designed to accelerate validation, prototyping and development of solid state battery systems.

CEPS brings together South Dakota Mines, Northeastern University, Syracuse University and Cornell University, alongside a broad network of industrial and government partners, creating a setting where research, testing and system integration occur in parallel.

This framework directly supports Critical Resources’ evaluation of advanced solid state lithium ion battery technologies optioned from South Dakota Mines, which cover five granted U.S. patents and one pending application.

The technologies under evaluation include non sulphide solid state electrolytes and next generation lithium metal architectures that aim to improve safety, energy density and high temperature performance relative to conventional liquid lithium ion systems.

Importantly, CEPS provides low indirect cost access to world class testing facilities and federal research infrastructure, including U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, which materially reduces technical risk during early stage validation.

Managing Director Tim Wither described the shift from bilateral research engagement to a coordinated research environment, noting that

“joining CEPS positions Critical Resources within a coordinated solid state research environment that provides the specialised capability we need to rigorously evaluate the advanced technologies optioned from South Dakota Mines”.

He added that the platform provides access to world class research teams and analytical tools, creating a structured pathway to validate performance and progress designs toward early stage prototype development.

Beyond technical capability, CEPS offers commercial context.

The centre has an established record of collaboration with global automotive manufacturers including Honda, Mercedes Benz and Nissan, giving participants insight into performance requirements shaping future energy storage adoption.

CEPS’ stated mission spans portable electronics, medical devices, automotive, aeronautics, centralised and decentralised grids, military and energy security applications, reflecting the breadth of end markets targeted by solid state battery developers.

For Critical Resources, the CEPS platform also strengthens strategic alignment between downstream battery innovation and upstream lithium assets.

The company’s Mavis Lake Lithium Project in Ontario is positioned within this broader value chain narrative, connecting resource development with advanced battery technologies at a time when manufacturers are seeking secure and traceable battery grade lithium supply.

While no development timelines are stated, the linkage reinforces the company’s stated strategy of complementing critical mineral supply with participation in advanced energy storage innovation.

The immediate focus remains evaluation rather than commercialisation. Critical Resources is finalising the detailed scope of work under the CEPS research framework, with milestone driven activities planned across solid state electrolyte testing, interface engineering and cathode prototyping. These steps are designed to validate performance characteristics before progressing toward prototype cell development.

In the broader context, CEPS membership places Critical Resources within a global effort to address safety, performance and sustainability limitations of conventional lithium ion batteries.

As the battery industry continues to prioritise non flammable electrolytes, higher energy density and improved high temperature operation, structured evaluation platforms such as CEPS are increasingly becoming gateways between academic innovation and industrial adoption.

For CRR, the move signals a transition from concept access to execution discipline within a recognised U.S. solid state battery ecosystem.

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