To date, Li-ion batteries have been the go-to technology for vehicle electrification and new stationary energy storage systems. However, the supply chain for Li-ion production is coming under increasing scrutiny with bottlenecks feasible during the second half of the 2020s, creating a potential opportunity for alternative battery chemistries not reliant on lithium, cobalt, or nickel. Further, the need for cheaper storage solutions more suitable for long-duration stationary storage presents another opportunity for alternative energy storage technologies.
Difficulties in maintaining longevity are being overcome and the promise of significant improvements to energy density has created significant hype and interest in using these materials as Li-ion anodes. This can be seen by looking at the large number of start-ups working on commercializing silicon and lithium-metal technology (often in conjunction with solid-state electrolytes).
Ilika plc (LON:IKA) is a pioneer in solid state battery technology enabling solutions for applications in Industrial IoT, MedTech, Electric Vehicles and Consumer Electronics.