The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Vorbeck Materials as one of three startup companies for the title of "America's Next Top Energy Innovator".In an announcement made by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Vorbeck was recognized for its work on improving lithium ion batteries, work done in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and researchers in the laboratories of Prof. Ilhan Aksay within the Chemical and Biological Engineering department.

A description of Vorbeck's work in an accompanying video describes how "The partnership between Vorbeck, PNNL and Princeton ultilizes graphene’s unique properties to enable major improvements in the performance of lithium ion batteries." The impact on comsumer electronics is projected to dramatic. Vorbeck is partnering with Hardwire LLC to develop and integrate this new battery technology into hybrid military vehicles. Further collaborations seek to incorporated the technology into consumer electronics and commercial vehicles.