A Lancaster University spin-out company has won a prestigious ‘Emerging Technologies’ award.

Gavion, which is led by Professor Abbie Trewin of Lancaster University’s Chemistry Department and which began in a computational chemistry lab at Lancaster University, is the winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies award in its Energy category.

The award is for OSPC, a new carbon allotrope that eliminates lithium plating in batteries which can degrade battery cells, or cause safety issues.

When added in small amounts to graphite anodes, OSPC suppresses lithium dendrite formation, reducing the risk of fires while also remaining compatible with existing battery manufacturing processes.

Developed from a computational design platform built over many years of research at Lancaster University, the material offers a route to batteries that are safer, faster-charging and longer-lasting.

Professor Trewin said: “I'm incredibly proud of what the team has achieved. OSPC began as a material we designed on a computer, and to see it recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry as a technology that could make batteries safer and longer-lasting is a real honour. This is a shared achievement — for my team, for our partners, and for Lancaster.

“OSPC is a genuinely new form of carbon, and this award recognises that fundamental science can translate into real-world impact. We don't replace graphite — we enhance it at just 1%, making batteries safer, faster-charging and longer-lasting without changing how they're made.”

Jess Wenmouth, Head of Research Commercialisation at Lancaster University, said Gavion’s success was a "fantastic" example of Lancaster University research being translated into a commercial technology with the potential to deliver real-world impact at scale.

She added: "From fundamental discovery in our chemistry department to now an award-winning spin-out developing next-generation battery materials, Gavion's journey demonstrates the strength of Lancaster’s innovation ecosystem and our commitment to supporting researchers to commercialise their ideas.

"We are proud to align with UK Government’s ambition to grow the UK’s deep tech economy and with UKRI’s 2026-2031 strategy, which highlights the importance of helping innovative companies start, scale and stay in the UK - while converting world-leading research into growth, investment and societal benefit.

"Gavion is creating exactly the kind of investable opportunity which can strengthen our research and development landscape, attract private investment and reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in advanced materials and clean technologies."

The Royal Society of Chemistry's Emerging Technologies Competition is the RSC's flagship annual innovation initiative, showcasing the best of the UK's early-stage, chemistry-led deep tech. Now in its second decade, it champions university spin-outs, research groups and start-ups working to turn promising chemical science into commercial reality across themes including clean energy, health, food and advanced materials.

Finalists pitch to an expert panel of judges and industry leaders, with a single winner selected in each category — gaining not only recognition, but access to mentoring, IP and pitch training, and exposure to potential investors and partners.