Cylindrical 18650 Cell
American Lithium Energy NMC3500
Cylindrical 18650 cell delivering 3.5 Ah capacity with 272 Wh/kg energy density and 10.5 A maximum discharge rate.
Overview
The American Lithium Energy ALE18650NMC3500 is a lithium-ion cylindrical 18650 cell designed for applications that demand reliable performance across a broad range of load conditions. With the manufacturer based in the United States, this cylindrical 18650 cell delivers 3.5 Ah capacity and 12.8 Wh of energy at a nominal voltage of 3.65 V, with a maximum continuous discharge capability of 10.5 A, making it suitable for applications that balance runtime against peak power demand. Among the 18650 cylindrical cells in the About:Energy battery library, the American Lithium Energy NMC3500 ranks 10th of 109 for gravimetric energy density. Its 272 Wh/kg compares with a 18650 cylindrical median of 216 Wh/kg.
Key Features
Discharge rate: 10.5 A continuous (3.0 C)
Energy density: 272 Wh/kg
Power density: 815 W/kg
Cathode: Ni-based
Applications: drones, aviation, e-mobility
Technical Specifications from the Manufacturer
Parameter
Manufacturer
American Lithium Energy
Model
ALE18650NMC3500
Type
Li-ion
Form factor
Cylindrical 18650
Country of origin
United States
Release year
Nominal voltage
3.65
Energy capacity [Wh]
12.775
Capacity [Ah]
3.5
Gravimetric energy density [Wh/kg]
272
Gravimetric power density [W/kg]
815
Max continuous discharge [A]
10.5
Volume [cm³]
17.7159
Mass [g]
47
Positive electrode (cathode)
Ni-based
Negative electrode (anode)
Value
Applications & Use‑Cases
The American Lithium Energy NMC3500 is well suited to the following applications due to its cylindrical 18650 form factor and balanced performance.
Drones: Demands high gravimetric power density for thrust and payload capacity, rapid current response for flight control, and stable voltage delivery across dynamic flight profiles.
Aviation: Requires high specific energy for extended flight duration, high power-to-weight ratio for climb performance, and reliable operation across wide temperature ranges at altitude.
E-Mobility: Requires balanced energy and power density for range and acceleration, high cycle life for daily use, and robust calendar life to ensure long-term reliability.
General Applications: Suitable for applications requiring reliable lithium-ion performance with proven cycle life, consistent capacity delivery, and operational safety across diverse use cases.
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Performance & Model Data
Below are modelled performance metrics for the American Lithium Energy NMC3500 across key indicators, including constant current behaviour, rate capability, temperature dependence, and available power under representative drive cycle conditions.
Constant Current Voltage
Access American Lithium Energy NMC3500 constant-current discharge curves in Voltt to size your pack against the voltage window your system actually needs. (Chart shown is illustrative, not NMC3500 data.)
Constant Current Temperature
Access American Lithium Energy NMC3500 thermal discharge data in Voltt to specify cooling and cell spacing before you commit to a pack layout. (Chart shown is illustrative, not NMC3500 data.)
Pulse Power Behaviour
Access American Lithium Energy NMC3500 pulse power maps in Voltt to set peak current limits and parallel count for your worst-case load. (Chart shown is illustrative, not NMC3500 data.)
Dynamic Profile Response
Access American Lithium Energy NMC3500 mission profile simulations in Voltt to prove the pack holds up over a real duty cycle before you build it. (Chart shown is illustrative, not NMC3500 data.)
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Case Studies
See how we helped McMurtry reduce cell evaluation time by 70% through data driven testing and modelling.
Motorsports
McMurtry Automotive: Faster cell evaluation
McMurtry Automotive used The Voltt and validated cell models to evaluate the transition from the Molicel P45B to P50B during early pack concept development.
Side by side modelling enabled rapid comparison of electrical and thermal behaviour, avoiding lengthy physical test campaigns. This approach reduced cell evaluation time by seven months, allowing the team to lock in cell selection and pack assumptions earlier while lowering technical risk and accelerating vehicle development.
Comparison with Related Cells
Compare the American Lithium Energy NMC3500 with similar Cylindrical 18650 cells offering comparable capacity and performance characteristics.
Model
Capacity
Max Discharge
Typical Use
Access Cell Data
Manufacturer Background
American Lithium Energy
American Lithium Energy is an American cylindrical lithium-ion cell manufacturer for defence and industrial markets
American Lithium Energy was founded in 2006 and manufactures lithium-ion cells in Carlsbad, California, concentrating on the cylindrical 18650 and 21700 formats. Its catalogue spans NMC and silicon-anode chemistries, with the ALE model codes indicating cell format and rated capacity. The company has developed an internal safety layer, marketed as SafeCore, intended to interrupt thermal runaway inside the cell rather than relying on pack-level protection alone. Production is carried out in the United States, which positions the cells for defence, aerospace and industrial programmes that require a domestic or procurement-compliant supply chain. Its relevance lies in combining conventional cylindrical formats with onshore manufacture and cell-level safety engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity and voltage of the American Lithium Energy NMC3500?
The American Lithium Energy NMC3500 has a nominal capacity of 3.5 Ah and a nominal voltage of 3.65 V, providing 12.8 Wh of energy per cell.
What is the maximum continuous discharge capability of the American Lithium Energy NMC3500?
The American Lithium Energy NMC3500 supports continuous discharge rates up to 10.5 A, delivering a power density of 815 W/kg.
How much does the American Lithium Energy NMC3500 weigh and what is its volume?
The cell has a mass of 47 g and a volume of 17.7 cm³.
In which industries is the American Lithium Energy NMC3500 commonly used?
The American Lithium Energy NMC3500 is used across drones, aviation and e-mobility, applications that demand reliable performance and balanced energy and power.
How does the American Lithium Energy NMC3500 compare with the LG Chem M36T?
Comparing the American Lithium Energy NMC3500 with the LG Chem M36T: capacity 3.5 Ah against 3.44 Ah; maximum continuous discharge 10.5 A against 5 A; energy density 272 Wh/kg against 254 Wh/kg; mass 47 g against 49.2 g. Both datasheets can be compared side by side in The Voltt.
What chemistry and format is the American Lithium Energy NMC3500?
The American Lithium Energy NMC3500 is a cylindrical 18650 cell with a Ni-based cathode. It has a nominal voltage of 3.65 V and a volume of 17.7 cm³. Its full datasheet is free to view in The Voltt.
