Belgium-based research and development company Imec has some promising news regarding solid-state batteries.
As detailed in a press release from Imec (via Engadget), the firm and 13 partners successfully manufactured a prototype solid-state battery as part of the SOLiDIFY project, an EU effort to make solid-state batteries. The technology could improve electric vehicle (EV) affordability and practicality by increasing the energy density of batteries. Other benefits include faster charging and improved safety.
Imec’s prototype battery boasts 1,070 watt-hours per litre (Wh/L) energy density, which is almost 25 percent higher than the best lithium-ion cells at 800Wh/L. Moreover, the manufacturing process works at room temperature and can be adapted to current lithium-ion battery product lines.
“This process holds promise for affordable industrial transfer,” wrote Imec.
Additionally, Imec projected the cost of its battery at €150 per kWh, or about $167 USD (about $226 CAD). Engadget notes that current batteries sit around $140 USD per kWh ($190 CAD).
Imec achieved the solid-state battery through what it calls “liquid-to-solid” solidification. The firm said it used a “doped polymerized ionic liquid (PIL)-based nanocomposite material” for the prototype’s solid electrolyte and combined it with a “high-capacity composite cathode, separated from a thin lithium metal anode by a thin solid electrolyte separator” to achieve the compact battery cell stack.
Moreover, Imec said it overcame mechanical strength and cathode impregnation challenges to increase the charge rate to three hours and lifetime to 100 cycles. “Compared to liquid electrolytes, the thermally stable solid cell had a reduced flammability, improving safety,” Imec said.
Further, Imec said the use of nanometer-thin protective coatings allowed it to use less cobalt in the NMC cathodes, improving the environmental impact and boosting capacity.
Of course, Imec still has a lot of work to do to improve the solid-state prototype, including boosting charge times and cycles. The company says it plans to “continuously increase energy and power density of energy storage technologies,” research new cathode materials and more.
Header image credit: Imec
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