LiNova Energy launched PolyPower, a metal-free polymer cathode battery designed for data center backup power that elimin

LiNova Energy announced the launch of PolyPower on June 23, 2026, a next-generation battery cell engineered specifically for data center backup power applications. The product addresses a critical market need as global data center power demand is projected to nearly double by 2030.

PolyPower is powered by LiNova's proprietary polymer cathode, a metal-free active material that can be synthesized from domestically available precursors. Unlike conventional metal cathodes, which face geopolitical risk and tariff volatility while releasing oxygen during thermal degradation, LiNova's cathodes eliminate these business and safety risks entirely. The company notes that the battery cathode is both the most expensive and most dangerous component in traditional lithium-ion stacks and has historically received little innovation.

Mike Nagus, CEO of LiNova Energy, stated that PolyPower represents a fundamental breakthrough for mission-critical applications, offering data center operators the combination of high power, uncompromising safety, and a scalable path to lower-cost energy storage that can grow with AI and cloud demand.

The product was developed in collaboration with a hyperscale data center operator to exceed current backup battery unit (BBU) capabilities. Independent testing at the University of California San Diego demonstrated strong high-rate performance with capacity retention exceeding hyperscaler benchmarks. In-house testing including nail puncture tests showed no hazard or venting, and UL9540A simulations resulted in no thermal runaway. Both UCSD and Saft North America, conducting separate testing, confirmed that LiNova's chemistry is intrinsically safer than other lithium-ion options with no thermal runaway under abuse conditions.

PolyPower complements LiNova's original cell, PolyEnergy, which targets high-energy applications. The company is currently engaging with hyperscale operators and has pouch-format cells available for testing now, with cylindrical format expected in Q3 2026 and integration into hyperscaler-spec BBUs for performance testing planned for Q4 2026. LiNova raised $15.8 million in Series A financing in 2024.