Imec, the world's leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics, energy and digital technology, and partner in EnergyVille, today announced a major breakthrough in the field of batteries. Researchers developed a new nanomaterial for solid-state Li-ion batteries and demonstrated it in a battery cell. The cell outperformed other solid-state batteries. And even though these batteries are not yet as good as current Li-ion batteries with a liquid electrolyte, they will outperform them in the future. So much so that we will soon be able to drive half the distance with our electric car. The results will be presented this week at the IDTechEx Show in Berlin.
New nanomaterial
Imec, the world's leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics, energy and digital technology, and partner in EnergyVille, today announced a major breakthrough in the field of batteries. Researchers developed a new nanomaterial for solid-state Li-ion batteries and demonstrated it in a battery cell. The cell outperformed other solid-state batteries. And even though these batteries are not yet as good as current Li-ion batteries with a liquid electrolyte, they will outperform them in the future. So much so that we will soon be able to drive half the distance with our electric car. The results will be presented this week at the IDTechEx Show in Berlin.
Electric cars are not really breaking through to the general public yet. One reason for this is the limited range and long charging time, despite continuous improvements in this area. Today, electric cars drive around with wet lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. 'Wet' because the electrolyte in the battery is a liquid. That electrolyte is the heart of the batteries; it transports the Lithium ions between the two poles of the battery. The research community is working on a new type of batteries based on a solid electrolyte. Such batteries promise higher energy density (more energy for the same volume), reliability and longevity, and higher charging speed.
Better battery
Until now, solid-state batteries have not been a real success. The conductivity of the solid-state electrolyte was still far too low, which meant that only very thin batteries (for sensors) were among the possibilities. The new solid electrolyte developed by imec changes this. With an energy density of 200 Wh/litre and a charge rate of 0.5C (2 hours), the prototype battery with the new electrolyte scores significantly better than other solid-state batteries. And if all goes according to plan, the new technology will make it possible to match even most liquid Li-ion batteries by the end of 2018 and surpass them in the years to come.
"We are working with a nanocomposite material that is applied as a liquid and only afterwards converted into a solid," clarifies Philippe Vereecken, principal investigator and programme leader at imec. "This has the great advantage that battery manufacturers do not have to drastically change their production process if they want to make this new type of battery. Our ultimate goal is to develop electrolytes with a conductivity ten times better than current liquid electrolytes."
Imec is conducting this research together with material suppliers and battery manufacturers and therefore set up an innovation programme. "This is essential if we want to make rapid progress and if we want people to quickly enjoy the many benefits of this innovation," concludes Vereecken.
Source: Imec
