solid state batteries
Batteries make our electrical world possible, solid state batteries have the potential to bring about a new generation of electronics. The balance of safety of long life, low cost, fast charging, and reliable performance in a wide range of temperatures makes batteries hard to create. Solid state batteries using solid electrolyte and electrodes are promising to be safer, quickly rechargeable, and more watt hours per liter.
Solid state battery diagramThe principle of a solid state battery is very similar to its liquid counterpart.
Anodes made of elements with a small amount of valence electrons (such as lithium) are combined with a cathode and separated by an electrolyte. The charged anode sends electrons through conductor at a certain voltage and these electrons under pressure can push electrical loads such as lights. The cathode, which has an electron deficiency gladly receives all the electrons that get sent from the anode and stores them in the electrolyte.
But what are the benefits of solid state batteries?
Solid state batteries are much safer than batteries using liquid electrolyte. Most lithium batteries use organic electrolytes combined with flame resistant additives because at the temperatures the electrolyte is volatile and the gasses are flammable. It's a dangerous balance between poor performance and high risk of fire. This is why solid state batteries are safer, their solid polymer or ceramic electrolyte is inherently fire resistant.
Solid state batteries also have a higher potential for volumetric energy density (Wh / L). This increase in watt hours per liter is due to the ability of the solid electrolytes to be compressed and having solid electrodes.
Liquid electrolyte heats up during fast charging, therefore lithium ion batteries are restricted on how fast they can charge, solid state batteries have the ability to withstand a much faster charging cycle. Plus solid state batteries do not have to withstand or seal in gasses, allowing the containers to be more versatile. Additionally solid state batteries are being developed to resist dendrites, which cause shorts in lithium ion batteries.
What's the hold up, where's my solid state battery?
The remaining challenges of solid state batteries revolve around finding the right solid electrolyte to prevent thermal expansion and dendrite growth without limiting performance characteristics. Solid electrolyte made from ceramics or polymers with sulfate additives for conductivity seem to be the most promising. There are various companies investing millions in R&D to solve these challenges and create the next best battery. Some of the leaders in this field are Ionic materials , Quantum Scape and SoIid Power . In the near future solid state batteries will be storing energy all over the world in various applications.
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