Solid-state batteries, with no liquid electrolyte, have been (like fleets of hydrogen cars) just around the corner for a long time. But commercialization is finally approaching, the companies say, and along with advantages over traditional lithium-ion in safety, weight and energy density, add a potential ability to fast-charge regularly with reduced battery damage.
The San Jose, California-based QuantumScape recently released data indicating that its battery cells with ceramic solid-electrolyte separators (made from what it said are “earth-abundant materials”) had gone through 400 cycles of 10 to 80 percent fast charging (the equivalent of covering 160,000 miles). And they retain, according to QuantumScape Chief Marketing Officer Asim Hussain, “well over 80 percent of their capacity at a variety of temperatures.” These temperatures ranged from 25 degrees Centigrade (77 degrees Fahrenheit) to 45 Centigrade (113 Fahrenheit), the company said.
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.
