# Printing Batteries, how AM is changing Battery Manufacturing and Performance

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2026-05-15
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 32
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/0eecf57d

## Summary

Karl Littau, CTO of Sakuu, explains how the company is disrupting the stagnant battery manufacturing industry by replacing wet, solvent-based slurry coating with dry powder-bed additive processes. Littau details how this shift eliminates toxic solvents, allows for powder reclaim, and significantly reduces the footprint and cost of equipment like long drying ovens. The conversation covers Sakuu's roadmap from initial electrode coating products to future bipolar designs that eliminate copper and aluminum, potentially enabling structural batteries and broader electrification.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=6) Introduction: Karl Littau and Sakuu's Mission
- [1:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=109) The Stagnation of Conventional Battery Manufacturing
- [4:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=263) Cost Drivers: Bill of Materials and Equipment
- [8:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=532) Sakuu's Additive Approach: Dry Powder vs. Wet Slurry
- [13:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=829) Battery Basics: Anode, Cathode, and Solid State
- [18:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=1125) Sakuu's Manufacturing Process and Yield Improvements
- [26:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=1577) Speed, Footprint, and Supply Chain Benefits
- [32:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=1946) Future Designs: Bipolar and Structural Batteries
- [37:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-05-15-printing-batteries-how-am-is-changing-battery-manufacturing-and-performance#t=2265) Sakuu's Origin Story and Current Roadmap

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Sakuu (company)
- Karl Littau (other)
- Panasonic (company)
- Samsung (company)
- LG (company)
- HP (company)
- Xerox (company)
- Austin Energy (company)
- Ursa Major (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advancing Battery Innovation for a Power Grid Under Pressure w/ Arwed Niestroj](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-05-19-advancing-battery-innovation-for-a-power-grid-under-pressure-w-arwed-niestroj) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [3D electrodes for Next Generation Batteries with Moshiel Biton, CEO and Co-founder of Addionics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2022-10-13-3d-electrodes-for-next-generation-batteries-with-moshiel-biton-ceo-and-co-founde) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [The world of battery recycling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-04-04-the-world-of-battery-recycling) (Catalyst)

## Citing this page

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