BELTSVILLE, Md., March 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/

ION Storage Systems announced the successful customer qualification of its Cornerstone™ Cell performance. This marks ION as the first US solid-state battery technology company to achieve customer qualification for its cell performance, a remarkable achievement after the recent announcement of shipping sample cells to leading industrial, consumer electronic, and automotive companies.

Founded in 2019, ION has developed a groundbreaking 3D ceramic electrolyte architecture that enables solid-state batteries to charge faster and provide greater range. Spun out of UMD’s Maryland Energy Innovation Institute, ION’s core technology is the brainchild of Dr. Eric Wachsman, who founded the company along with chief technology officer Dr. Greg Hitz. The pair’s expertise in SSBs and manufacturing, and current CEO, Jorge Diaz Schneider, has enabled the team to meet and exceed performance metrics for ION’s next-generation batteries. 

Diaz Schneider now leads the company and replaces Ricky Hanna, a former executive director of battery operations at Apple Inc., as Ion's CEO. 

ION's Cornerstone™ Cells will start production at its Maryland facility with expected expansion as production ramps up.

Read the full press release on ION's success.