What is a solid-state battery?

Factorial and QuantumScape are developing solid-state cells. It’s still an emerging technology, and several companies beyond Factorial and QS have different perspectives on how they should work. The key attribute of all these batteries is solidifying the traditionally liquid electrolyte.

What makes a battery a solid state battery?

2. Solid Electrolytes: The Heart of Solid-State Batteries The gradual shift to solid electrolytes has been influenced by the prior development of conventional lithium (Li) batteries, which have traditionally employed liquid electrolytes.

Can solid-state batteries make a significant contribution to energy transformation?

“We believe that our newly developed material for solid-state batteries can make a significant contribution to the energy transformation of society. We will continue the development towards early commercialisation,” said TDK’s chief executive Noboru Saito.

Are solid-state batteries better than current batteries?

Solid-state batteries are safer, lighter and potentially cheaper and offer longer performance and faster charging than current batteries relying on liquid electrolytes. Breakthroughs in consumer electronics have filtered through to electric vehicles, although the dominant battery chemistries for the two categories now differ substantially.

Why are solid-state lithium-ion batteries (SSBs) so popular?

The solid-state design of SSBs leads to a reduction in the total weight and volume of the battery, eliminating the need for certain safety features required in liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries (LE-LIBs), such as separators and thermal management systems [3, 19].

Could solid-state battery technology reduce costs?

A company called Factorial, which counts Stellantis and Mercedes as investors, claims its solid-state battery technology uses less lithium than traditional batteries, which could potentially reduce costs, especially as production ramps up.