TELF AG analyzes a potential improvement in solid-state batteries
A new prototype
In a historical juncture characterized by the advancement of the energy transition, electric vehicles and the batteries that power them could be destined to play an increasingly important role. In addition to supporting renewable energy, many observers agree that electric vehicles could provide a valuable contribution to the progress of ecological conversion, particularly due to their characteristic of not producing any emissions. In a situation of this kind, it will be easy to understand the increasingly central role of batteries, the precious devices capable of powering electric vehicles, and other important technologies related to the renewable sector.
In every corner of the world, researchers and scientists are constantly working to develop more performing and safer batteries, capable of adapting excellently to every new generation vehicle and capable of bringing with them further improvements, such as increased safety and a general reduction in the overall weight of the vehicle. This is also why many startups are working to develop prototypes of increasingly safe batteries capable of projecting the automotive sector into future mobility. From this point of view, one of the most interesting results was recently achieved by the British startup Ilika, which put together a prototype of a solid-state battery – called Goliath P1 – capable of withstanding even the most complex environmental conditions. This prototype was made with an NMC cathode composed of nickel, manganese, and cobalt, while the anode was made of silicon. This particular battery also stands out for its peculiar configuration, characterized by the presence of solid-state pouch cells.
The characteristics of the prototype
Goliath P1 would have managed to pass one of the most arduous tests for batteries intended for electric vehicles, namely a very tough simulation that also included a thermal runaway. During this test, the prototype battery with a solid electrolyte maintained a temperature below 80 °C, a figure far lower than that recorded in tests involving traditional lithium-ion batteries (which often reach 600 °C). As the researchers say, the battery cells remained intact, and the Goliath P1 prototype did not even show the peculiar swelling seen in lithium-ion batteries when they are affected by a failure or malfunction.
The most obvious implication, from this point of view, is that relating to the vehicle’s safety in which the battery is mounted, which in this way would be able to withstand even the most complex conditions. Another possible implication is of a technical-productive nature and has to do with the actual assembly of the battery: a device with a similar degree of safety would make the addition of additional protective packaging around the body of the battery superfluous, making it possible to produce vehicles that are much lighter than those equipped with traditional batteries.
This technology is still embryonic, but the startup expects a mass-produced version by 2025. Over the past few years, solid-state batteries have been appreciated for their ability to function optimally at high temperatures and for their degree of safety, ensured by solid electrolytes (unlike the liquid ones in traditional batteries), but also for their high energy density. This characteristic allows batteries to store higher energy, making them very valid allies for the electric vehicle sector. Furthermore, the lifespan of these storage systems would be higher thanks to the smaller number of dendrites that could form on their surfaces.
