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Tallinn University of Technology and Skeleton Technologies Enter Cooperation Agreement to Turn Estonia into a Hub in Energy Storage and Development

Photo credit: Unsplash, Dylan Gillis
Photo credit: Unsplash, Dylan Gillis
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This strategic agreement entails R&D cooperation between Skeleton Technologies and Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) on future energy storage solutions, especially full modules and systems. It will combine TalTech’s excellence in digitalization and electrical engineering and Skeleton’s leading position in energy storage technology.

As part of this agreement, Skeleton and TalTech will collaborate in applied research, and explore Industry 4.0 automated manufacturing and production techniques. This collaboration also opens possibility for Skeleton to sharing its experience as an industry leader with the university, researchers and students.

The two parties already have history of cooperation, through initiatives such as Formula Student Team Tallinn. Currently, more than half of Skeleton’s employees in Tallinn office are TalTech alumni or students.

Tallinn University of Technology and Skeleton Technologies have signed in the beginning of March an agreement that lays out the terms for an extended cooperation, utilizing synergies between both partners and aligning towards the future of energy storage.

Skeleton and TalTech will collaborate on research in modules, systems and solutions for energy storage technology, including Skeleton’s next generation of products also known as SuperBattery. They will also explore new Industry 4.0 manufacturing and production techniques, including machine learning and automation of processes in industrial energy storage production. This cooperation will contribute to building up a strong energy storage competence in Estonia and strengthen research in energy storage both in Estonia and more widely in Europe.

“We felt the need to combine our academic and business mindsets not only because Skeleton is always looking for new talents but also to foster innovation. This is particularly crucial, given that, in fast-growing companies, development cycles shrink,” Skeleton’s CEO and co-founder Taavi Madiberk says.

Tiit Land, Rector of TalTech, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the private sector and the academy: “The forthcoming collaboration will take R&D collaboration with Skeleton to a new level and add a new dimension as we begin to offer special training programs for engineers at Skeleton’s factory and R&D center.”

This initiative will contribute to narrowing the gap between basic and applied research, allowing scientists to bring their research closer to the market and industry’s needs. Skeleton will also share its experience as an industry leader with the university, researchers and students.

“Our laboratory has active research cooperation with Skeleton Technologies during last 5 years. We have completed together a flexible, electrospun supercapacitor development project under European Space Agency (ESA) Industry Incentive Scheme and starting an electrospun separator development project under ESA General Support Technology Programme. All the research is dedicated to space industry, providing more durable and efficient energy storage products for Skeleton Technologies. Some of the results are patent pending. Also, an industrial doctoral student from Skeleton Technologies, studying in our laboratory should graduate during this year,” said Andres Krumme, a Professor of Polymer Technology at TalTech.

This new collaboration could act as a blueprint for further cooperation between academic and business worlds in the cleantech sector, underlining the contribution of science and universities to solve global challenges.

About Tallinn University of Technology
Creator of digital innovations, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is leading Estonia and the world towards a sustainable digital future with confidence. As a leader in science, technology, and innovation, the school maintains constant interaction with universities around the world, bringing together scientists, students, and entrepreneurs. Founded in 1918, TalTech is the sole technological university in Estonia. TalTech is a research-based university offering Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in technology, applied science, IT, business and maritime studies.

About Skeleton Technologies
Skeleton Technologies is the global technology leader in ultracapacitor energy storage in automotive, transportation, grid and industrial applications.
Skeleton’s ultracapacitors, based on patented “curved graphene”, represent the biggest technological advancement in the industry in the last 20 years and the use of this innovative material provides our products with an unparalleled advantage in power and energy density.

Contacts
Krõõt Nõges
TalTech, Head of Media Relations,
+372 5303 6163,
kroot.noges@taltech.ee

Arnaud Castaignet,
Skeleton Technologies, Head of Communications & Policy,
+372 5669 9602, 
arnaud.castaignet@skeletontech.com

This article was first published on the Tallinn University of Technology website.

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