The Weekly Potential #2
Solid-state batteries, separators, 1070Wh/l batteries, Skeleton Technologies
Welcome to the 2nd edition of The Weekly Potential. With this series, our goal is to provide you with a weekly digest covering the latest in battery technology and industry trends. Each issue features:
The main events in the battery industry from the past week,
A 'Paper of the Week' for those who love to delve into research,
A recommended podcast or video for on-the-go insights into the battery industry.
Whether you're deeply embedded in the industry, looking to invest, or just fascinated by battery technology, join us as we explore the dynamic developments pushing us toward a sustainable future. You can catch up with the last week’s edition here.
Let's dive in 🔋!
You are currently reading the free edition of Lithium Horizons. For deeper insights, including in-depth analyses on industry trends, engineering advancements in batteries, and innovation, you can subscribe below.
Industry Developments
1. Factorial's Solstice Battery Promises to Revolutionize Electric Vehicles
Factorial Inc., in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, has introduced Solstice, an all-solid-state battery based on sulfide electrolytes that promises to redefine the standards for EV performance and safety.
Key Features of Solstice:
Extended Range: Solstice boasts the potential to extend EV range by up to 80% over current standards. This dramatic increase is attributed to its high energy density of 450 Wh/kg, making long-distance travel on electric power more feasible.
Enhanced Safety: Utilizing a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, Solstice achieves a EUCAR safety rating of 2, significantly reducing the fire risks associated with traditional liquid electrolytes. This solid-state design inherently offers better thermal stability, maintaining performance at temperatures over 90°C, which could simplify and reduce the need for complex cooling systems in EVs.
Innovative Manufacturing: Solstice employs a novel dry coating process for its cathode, which bypasses the traditional, time-consuming coating and drying process. This innovation not only speeds up production but also potentially lowers costs and reduces the environmental footprint by minimizing the use of solvents.
The introduction of Solstice could translate into EVs that can travel further on a single charge, with less worry about battery safety or the need for frequent charging. For manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, integrating Solstice into their future models could position them at the forefront of the EV revolution.
While the full integration of Solstice into commercial vehicles is expected by the end of the decade, its announcement promises a new benchmark in battery technology. The critical task now is to go from prototype to production, a challenge where many battery technologies have failed in the past.
2. 24M Introduces Impervio Battery Separators
24M has unveiled new test data for their Impervio class of battery separators, highlighting innovation to reduce battery fires. This technology is designed to prevent catastrophic failures by suppressing the formation of dendrites, which are a primary cause of short circuits and subsequent fires in batteries.
Impervio's unique features include early fault detection, allowing for the safe shutdown of a battery cell before a potential short circuit can lead to thermal runaway. The technology also integrates seamlessly with both conventional lithium-ion and the more advanced lithium metal cells, showcasing its versatility. With plans for market introduction in 2025 or 2026, Impervio could considerably improve the safety standards for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
3. SOLiDIFY Project Promises Lithium Metal Batteries with 1070 Wh/l
The SOLIDIFY project, funded under the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, has marked a significant advancement in battery technology by achieving an energy density of 1070 Wh/l in a solid-state lithium-metal battery prototype. This breakthrough, demonstrated at EnergyVille's state-of-the-art battery lab in Genk, Belgium, represents a substantial improvement over the 800 Wh/l typically seen in current lithium-ion batteries. The project's success lies in its innovative "liquid-to-solid" processed electrolyte, which not only enhances energy density but also promises a cost-effective and scalable manufacturing process adaptable to existing lithium-ion battery production lines. The cost of such cells is estimated to be 150 EUR/kWh.
This technology, developed through a collaboration involving major European research centers and industry partners, not only aims at revolutionizing electric vehicle batteries but also addresses critical performance metrics like charging time and cycle life, setting a new benchmark for future energy storage solutions.
Paper of the Week
This paper from Joule presents a significant breakthrough in battery technology by demonstrating that charging lithium-ion batteries at unusually high currents during their initial factory charge can dramatically enhance their lifespan and efficiency. It was found that this method not only reduces the initial charging time from 10 hours to just 20 minutes but also extends the battery's average lifespan by 50%. This improvement is attributed to the formation of a better solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the negative electrode, which minimizes lithium loss and subsequent battery degradation over time.
This breakthrough has the potential to further reduce battery costs since formation is one of the most costly steps in battery production. The study utilized scientific machine learning to understand these changes, offering valuable insights for optimizing battery manufacturing processes.
On the Go
In the episode on the future of the battery industry in Europe from The Battery Podcast, Taavi Madiberk, the CEO and Co-Founder at Skeleton Technologies discusses how Europe can establish a battery industry that is different from that of China or the U.S.
From carving a niche, to playing to the European strengths, and really understanding what the industry needs, Skeleton Technologies took an unconventional path to become a major player in the battery industry.
Read More
Thank you for reading this article. If it provided value or interest to you, please consider sharing it with your network and subscribing. It helps spread knowledge and it supports this publication.