Solid State Regulatory News (SOLI)

26 March 2015

Solid State plc

("Solid State" or the "Group")

Steatite wins Innovate UK funding to research and develop the next generation of Lithium batteries for Marine Autonomous Systems

Solid State plc (AIM: SOLI), the AIM listed supplier of specialist industrial/ruggedised computers, electronic components, secure communications systems and battery power solutions to the electronics market, is pleased to announce that its Steatite division has been awarded collaborative funding of £1.1 million towards the research and development of the next generation of Lithium Batteries for Marine Autonomous Systems (MAS).

A consortium of UK companies and academic partners, led by Steatite and co-funded by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK, will produce a battery pack that will be pressure tolerant up to depths of 6000 metres. The collaboration includes cell manufacturer OXIS Energy Ltd, underwater vehicle designers and manufacturers MSubs Ltd and scientific expertise from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).

Steatite is a specialist in the design and manufacture of Lithium battery pack solutions specifically for harsh operating environments including military, oil & gas, subsea, marine monitoring, and unmanned vehicles. Having previously worked with the NOC to develop a mission-critical battery solution that increased the AUV's endurance whilst reducing whole life cost, Paul Edwards, Battery Business Manager at Steatite said "This success strengthens our position as a manufacturer of battery and power solutions, the Innovate UK funding will bring together a class leading partnership from industry and academia which will provide a platform for future success, with each partner bringing a significant level of domain expertise to the consortium."

Collectively this team will benefit from expertise at academic level, cell research level, pack assembly and as operational end users of MAS in the most challenging environments. This is a unique opportunity to establish a high pedigree consortium with an extensive knowledge of MAS, their operational requirements, product opportunities, with already established routes to market. OXIS Energy has been at the forefront of innovative R&D, building next generation Lithium Sulfur battery technology since 2005, while MSubs have a wealth of experience in all aspects of innovative underwater vehicle design and manufacture. The NOC has consistently been at the forefront of pioneering marine autonomous developments.

Kevin Forshaw, Associate Director of Innovation and Enterprise at the NOC, said:

"We are delighted to have secured this Innovate UK funding, and look forward to working alongside our industry partners to produce these exciting new developments in Marine Autonomous Systems."

John Lavery, Managing Director of Steatite, added:

"This team comprises the industry leaders in the specialist fields of battery design and innovation. To be chosen to work in the consortium endorses our credentials in the field which is in increasingly high demand."

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Notes to Editors:

Solid State plc (SOLI) is a leading value added group of companies providing specialist design-in and manufacturing services to those acquiring industrial/rugged computing products, battery power solutions, secure communications systems and electronic components for use in harsh environments.

Serving niche markets in oil & gas production, medical, construction, security, military and field maintenance, Solid State acts as both a distributor to OEMs and bespoke manufacturer of specialist units to clients with complex requirements.

Headquartered in Redditch, Solid State employs over 140 staff across five sites. Solid State operates through two main divisions: Solid State Supplies and Steatite.

Solid State was established in 1971 and admitted to AIM in June 1996.

ABOUT INNOVATE UK

As the UK's innovation agency, one of the main roles of Innovate UK is to achieve business and economic growth for the UK. One way the organisation supports this is through funding innovative Collaborative Research and Development (CR&D) projects. Collaborative research and development (R&D) encourages businesses and researchers to work together on innovative projects in strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology - from which successful new products, processes and services can emerge, contributing to business and economic growth.

Find out more about the CR&D programme here: https://www.gov.uk/innovation-get-details-about-innovate-uk-funding-competitions#collaborative-research-and-development