Powering AI at the Edge with American Innovation

Group1 is developing power systems that keep AI infrastructure running through power interruptions, starting with modular backup power for edge computing and data centers.

We’ve built the potassium-ion cell.
Now we’re advancing toward integrated systems and a domestic supply chain, bringing American materials innovation to critical power infrastructure.

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From Cell to Cabinet

Modular Backup Power for AI Data Centers

Inherently safer, high-power K-ion systems designed for mission-critical applications

Data centers require uninterruptible power for critical operations. Our modular K‑Pack and K‑Cabinet systems deliver scalable backup, without lithium, cobalt, or compromise.

Complete

K-ion

18650 Cell

3.7V

Drop-in cylindrical format

In Progress

K-Pack

48V

400Wh

Group1 MVP product for UPS systems and dual-use applications

In Progress

K-Cabinet

480V

12kWh

Scaled from rack to cabinet. Built from K-Packs for data center deployment

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“Modular data centers will require nearly $7 trillion in capital expenditures by 2030 to meet skyrocketing demand for AI compute.”

Potassium-Ion Battery Benefits

Our potassium batteries have material-level benefits that enable differentiated product performances in high-stakes applications like UPS, defense, and grid backup, without relying on lithium or geopolitically sensitive materials.

High Performance

Potassium Advantage

High ion mobility + 4V-capable cathode structure

Resulting Product Capabilities

>20C discharge (< 3-min runtime), rapid charge, ideal for UPS burst loads, Enables Energy densities comparable with LFP

Superior Safety

Potassium Advantage

Deep (0V) discharge + no oxygen in cathode + non-flammable electrolyte

Resulting Product Capabilities

Non-flammable, inherently safe, critical for dense environments

Leading Scalability

Potassium Advantage

Room-temperature synthesis, no high temperature lithiation step, drop-in compatible with LIB infra/processes

Resulting Product Capabilities

Lower CapEx, faster domestic scale-up

Critical-Metal-Free

Potassium Advantage

Raw material is potash. Uses no lithium, cobalt, nickel,or copper

Resulting Product Capabilities

Resilient U.S. supply chain, policy-aligned sourcing

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Why Potassium-Ion for Backup Power

A safer, scalable, American alternative to lithium. Built to power AI, defense, grid infrastructure, and beyond.

Potassium is uniquely positioned to reshape the battery supply chain. Unlike lithium, it doesn’t rely on scarce or geopolitically sensitive minerals. It’s abundant, American, and enables energy storage products that are inherently safer and more scalable.

Group1’s platform unlocks the commercial potential of the potassium-ion, backed by decades of research and designed for immediate compatibility with existing lithium-ion formats. These fundamental chemistry advantages translate into meaningful product benefits:

Applications

Backup Power for Data Centers and Critical Infrastructure

Group1’s potassium-ion platform is designed for systems that demand safety, scalability, and immediate power, starting with mission-critical applications, such as UPS for data centers and defense. Built using the standard 18650 format and assembled into modular packs. Our batteries are drop-in compatible with existing infrastructure.

As we scale, this same architecture enables expansion across high-value commercial, industrial, and national security applications.

Data Centers

High-power UPS for AI

AI data centers rely on uninterrupted power. Group1’s KIB delivers fire-safe, high-power UPS backup, without lithium, nickel, cobalt, or supply chain risk. Already built in 18650 format and integratable into modular packs.

National Security

Critical infrastructure and high-power drones

National security demands energy independence. Our American-made KIB meets "Substantially Manufactured in the USA" and the DOD’s growing demand for scalable, drop-in 18650 cells.

Additional Markets

BESS

Grid operators require scalable, fireproof backup that can tolerate deep discharge. Group1’s KIB is a high-performance drop-in for battery energy storage systems, without the fire risk of lithium-ion.
‍
KIB’s deep (0V) discharge and fire-safe chemistry are uniquely suited for large-scale stationary storage, especially where lithium is seen as too volatile

Electric Vehicles

Group1’s chemistry avoids lithium, cobalt, and nickel, making it a cost-stable platform for EVs. While not our entry point, KIB offers energy densities on par with LFP-LIBs, and is consistent with emerging needs for domestic, sustainable transportation solutions.

Robotics

Compact robots demand scalable power, tight thermal control, and built-in safety, all within strict size and weight constraints. Group 1’s potassium‑ion battery packs deliver battery density, burst-power, and rugged integration support, tailor‑built for autonomy architects.

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Speak with our team about product capabilities and compatibility

Learn More

Request Spec Sheet

Apply to join our early access deployment program

Limited Slots available

Reserve Pilot Opportunity

Group1’s Nobel Origins

Prof. John B. Goodenough’s Final Breakthrough

Group1 was born out of the lab of Nobel Laureate Professor. John B. Goodenough, the co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery. His final body of research focused on potassium-ion as a safer, more scalable alternative to lithium based energy storage.

We are honored to carry his work forward, commercializing potassium-ion to power the next generation of American infrastructure.

The Team Building the Future of American Batteries

Group1 is led by battery pioneers and startup veterans

Leadership and Staff

Alexander L. Girau, M.S.

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Bella Kapsheev

Chief Development Officer

Cole Mough

Founding Engineer - Materials, Process, and Operations

Patrick Crowley, M.S.

Founding Engineer - Cell and Battery

Advisory Board and Board of Directors

Professor Keith Stevenson, Ph.D.

Scientific Advisor

Yakov Kutsovsky, Ph. D.

Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor

Charles Nelson

Commercialization Advisor

Michael Bartholomeusz, Ph.D.

Independent Director

Professor Martin Bazant, PhD.

Chief Scientific Advisor

Alexander L. Girau, M.S.

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Professor Brian Korgel, Ph.D.

Energy Strategy and Policy Advisor

Theodore Pagano, P.E., P.G.

Strategic Director

Professor Keith Stevenson, Ph.D.

Scientific Advisor

Yakov Kutsovsky, Ph. D.

Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor

Charles Nelson

Commercialization Advisor

Michael Bartholomeusz, Ph.D.

Independent Director

Professor Martin Bazant, PhD.

Chief Scientific Advisor

Alexander L. Girau, M.S.

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Professor Brian Korgel, Ph.D.

Energy Strategy and Policy Advisor

Theodore Pagano, P.E., P.G.

Strategic Director

"Trillions of dollars in private sector investments will revitalize our domestic technology manufacturing base and supply chains, reindustrializing the nation."

September 11, 2026

Podcast: Group1 CEO Alexander Girau on Powering AI Infrastructure and Enabling Teams with AI Agents

On KP Unpacked, Group1 CEO Alexander Girau discusses resilient power for AI infrastructure and his approach to building technology companies: keeping teams focused, using AI agents to expand their capabilities, and bringing scientific innovation to market. The conversation also explores potassium-ion batteries and American manufacturing.

April 2, 2026

U.S. Potash CEO Joins Group1 Board, Connecting American Potassium to a Sovereign Battery Supply Chain

Group1 appointed Michigan Potash CEO Theodore Pagano to its board, linking a $1.26 billion DOE loan conditionally committed to a U.S. potash project with Goodenough-lineage battery technology to build a domestic energy supply chain.

November 20, 2025

Group1 and Michigan Potash & Salt Company Announce Strategic Collaboration to Build America's Potassium-to-Battery Supply Chain

Group1 and MPSC sign an MOU to link domestic potash production with KIB manufacturing, creating a secure U.S. supply chain for safer, high-power batteries targeting data centers and defense.

KP Unpacked · September 11, 2026 · 16 minutes

From scientific innovation to AI power infrastructure

Group1 CEO Alexander Girau joins Tyler Sellhorn to discuss the work of turning scientific innovation into commercial products. The conversation connects AI infrastructure demand with manufacturing, an American supply chain, and focused company building.

Girau describes adapting potassium-ion technology to customer requirements, including backup power and power buffering. He also explains how AI agents can extend a small team's capabilities as the company advances toward commercialization.

Key takeaways

Power and supply chain. Scaling energy storage requires manufacturing capacity and resilient sourcing alongside technical innovation.
From research to product. Customer requirements guide the transition from laboratory performance to integrated power systems.
Teams enabled by AI. AI agents can strengthen traceability and execution, while disciplined hiring and focus remain essential before repeatable demand.

Listen on Spotify Read the host's transcript

The full transcript is available in the Transcript tab on KP Unpacked.

Press Releases

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Powering AI at the Edge with American Innovation

Modular Backup Power for AI Data Centers

K-ion

K-Pack

K-Cabinet

Potassium-Ion Battery Benefits

High Performance

Superior Safety

Leading Scalability

Critical-Metal-Free

Why Potassium-Ion for Backup Power

Backup Power for Data Centers and Critical Infrastructure

Data Centers

National Security

Additional Markets

BESS

Electric Vehicles

Robotics

Speak with our team about product capabilities and compatibility

Apply to join our early access deployment program

Prof. John B. Goodenough’s Final Breakthrough

The Team Building the Future of American Batteries

Leadership and Staff

Advisory Board and Board of Directors

From scientific innovation to AI power infrastructure

Key takeaways

Read More about us online

Contact Us

Thank you for your submission!