Start-up licenses fast-charging technologies, plans to relocate to region
Marc-Antoni Racing has licensed a collection of patented energy storage technologies developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and plans to relocate its operations from Connecticut to Tennessee.
Founded in 2017 by long-time Audi executive Ricardo Marc-Antoni Duncanson, the company has licensed technologies that focus on components enabling fast-charging, energy-dense batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles and grid storage. Those inventions are based on ORNL patents for battery components — anode, cathode and electrolyte solution. The inventors are Sheng Dai, Xiao-Guang Sun, Parans Paranthaman, Gabriel Veith, and Craig Bridges.
Marc-Antoni Racing is exploring ways to move the racing industry away from fossil fuels while maintaining the dynamic driving experience loved by motor sports enthusiasts. With a well-established automotive manufacturing ecosystem and a growing industry centered on batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), Tennessee provides advantages to an EV-focused entrepreneur.
“Tennessee is a great place to do what we’re doing — motorsports and high-performance cars. There’s a rich motorsports history and infrastructure in the region,” Duncanson said. He is exploring further work with ORNL through RevV, a voucher program for Tennessee companies funded by the State of Tennessee and operated by the University of Tennessee and ORNL.
“Marc-Antoni Racing provides an exciting opportunity to test our technologies, de-risking further commercialization efforts to develop this technology for a range of industries,” said Susan Hubbard, ORNL’s Deputy for Science and Technology. “In relocating to the Oak Ridge Corridor, Ric will be joining a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem focused on clean energy technology that is supported and strengthened by ORNL’s expertise and facilities.”
Duncanson expects that any improvements made to racing vehicles will quickly be adopted by the wider automotive industry, facilitated by exposure to the many high-tech companies working in racing.
Click here for the full ORNL news release.
