Solid-state batteries have the potential to make EVs more affordable and practical, but their commercial development there is a record of false promises It will be Tesla’s full self control to blush That means they’re hard to report on, but we’re seeing encouraging news from established Belgian-based R&D giant Imec.
As part of the SOLiDIFY project, the EU-backed firm and its 13 partners produced a prototype solid-state battery with an energy density of 1,070 Wh/L, about 25 percent higher than the best lithium-ion cells (800 Wh/L). . Better yet, it uses a manufacturing process that runs at room temperature, compatible with current lithium-ion battery product lines, and is projected to cost less than 150 euros (about $167) per kWh, compared to about $140/kWh for current batteries. “This process holds promise for a favorable industrial transfer,” Imec wrote in a press release.
The jump was something called “liquid-to-solid” solidification. This means that the solid electrolyte of the prototype uses “doped polymerized ionic liquid” in a thin layer of 50 micrometers. The electrolyte is surrounded by a high-capacity composite cathode on one side and a thin lithium metal anode on the other, resulting in a compact battery cell stack.
By overcoming the challenges of mechanical strength and cathode impregnation, the consortium was able to increase the cell’s charging speed to three hours and its lifetime to 100 cycles. Due to the introduction of nanometer-thick protective coatings, the use of cobalt has also decreased.
Undoubtedly, charging times and cycle counts need to be improved (modern lithium-ion car batteries can be recharged 2000 times, and some less than an hour). Furthermore, the technology requires further development to be practical at the industrial level. However, it is worth the effort, as solid-state batteries may eventually provide improved energy density, shorter charge times, and better safety at a lower cost.
