CLEVELAND — A Cleveland-based company is developing a chemical that will help extend battery life and long-term energy storage.

 Octet Scientific makes molecules that are aimed at putting cleaner batteries on the grid and helping prevent zinc-based batteries from developing dendrites, which could break off inside the battery.

“We think there’s a lot of opportunity with zinc, which is sustainable and safe,” said Emily Dickens, head of product development for Octet Scientific.

Onas Bolton said he founded the company to work on something he’s passionate about. 

“Of course, climate change and carbon neutrality is something that I feel very strongly about,” he said. 

He combined his passion and profession to help make a difference. 

“I saw an opportunity to design molecules, which is what I know how to do, and to also make these batteries more competitive,” he said. 

They’re developing a product that can enhance the efficiency of zinc-based batteries.

“The battery will last longer, run safer, have a higher capacity,” Bolton said. 

About 20 companies globally test that theory.

“Our chemicals right now are being shipped from Cleveland to all over the world to see how they can help improve the batteries that we service,” he said. 

In their laboratory, Dickens inspected under the microscope at their latest trial, which showed zinc treated with Octalyte was smoother. 

“The ultimate goal is to have a completely smooth and predictable zinc plate as you’re recharging the battery,” she said.

In creating this, Bolton said he’s hoping to spark support in using zinc as a future-proof solution for increased energy usage.

“Companies need new chemistry,” he said. “They need better batteries all the time and we’re coming at that from an angle that not one else is right now.”