Donut Lab’s solid-state battery claim has been debunked by Ziroth

Hughes’ investigation was assisted by… Whistleblower Lori Peltolaformer Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Nordic Nano Group – the company supposedly partnered with Donut Lab to manufacture the batteries. Hughes says he also turned to “more than 20 independent battery experts,” including Julian Zannau of the Fraunhofer Research Institute, who analyzed specific voltage curves, cell expansion data, and electrochemical signatures to prove that the “miracle solid-state” battery behaved exactly like a standard lithium-ion battery cell (NMC).

Donut Lab CEO Marko Lehtimäki apparently engaged in “power washing” by paying the reputable VTT technical research center in Finland to conduct certain tests — and only those tests — to create the illusion of legitimacy. like Electric NotesVTT never directly addressed the two important claims: 400 W/kg power density and 100,000 cycle life.

Hughes also investigates the complex web of shell companies that Lehtimäki uses to hide the inner workings of Donut Lab and the origins of its technology. Hughes also analyzed Lehtimäki’s financial dealings and fundraising techniques that could constitute fraudulent misconduct. The interesting and deeply thoughtful 45-minute video is worth a full watch. And as always, be sure to like and subscribe — Hughes is legit.

It is unclear what will happen next for Lehtimäki, Donut Lab and vulnerable retail investors. But one rule remains undefeated: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.