French battery manufacturer Saft has signed a joint development agreement with US start-up Mana Battery covering anode-free sodium-ion cells for defence and critical-infrastructure applications. The companies will combine Mana’s proprietary electrolyte and anode-free cell technology with Saft’s expertise in cell design, prototyping, manufacturing, testing and qualification. Unlike a conventional sodium-ion cell, the anode-free design is assembled without an anode containing active material such as hard carbon. A US Department of Energy project description identifies the company’s technology as an anode-free sodium cell using low-cost, fluorine-free liquid electrolyte materials. Mana Battery brings world-class electrolyte innovation that complements our cell design, manufacturing and qualification capabilities.