What if an electric vehicle battery could charge faster than ever, yet last twice as long? Imagine if batteries could be significantly more compact and more efficient. These are some of the potential benefits of ceramic solid-state batteries. However, this technology is still not ready for the market and we’ll tell you why.
While the technology of ceramic solid-state batteries seems set to transform energy storage as we know it, there are still several challenges innovators need to solve.
For instance, these batteries currently cost too much to produce and manufacturing is still too complex to scale.
But the future is exciting. In this article, we explore the various key aspects of solid-state ceramic battery technology, recent breakthroughs, and related challenges. But first, a quick intro into what the fuss is all about.
What are Ceramic Solid-State Batteries?
Most of the gadgets and devices that we use in our everyday life rely on lithium-ion batteries—from watches and phones to laptops and electric vehicles. Generally, a lithium-ion battery contains a liquid electrolyte through which ions follow to either charge the battery or power a device.
However, solid-state batteries are different.
Source: Britannica
As the name implies, solid-state batteries replace this liquid electrolyte with a solid material—ceramics. In other words, ceramic solid-state batteries use ceramic electrolytes to conduct ions between electrodes.
While this sounds like only a small change, ceramic electrolytes offer several advantages compared to their lithium-ion counterparts. Here are some of these perks:
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Safety: Ceramic solid-state batteries cannot leak and are non-flammable
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Charge time: They can charge up to six times faster than lithium-ion batteries
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Energy density: Ceramic electrolytes are at least two times denser than lithium-ion batteries, which means higher size-for-size efficiency
- Power: Ceramic solid-state batteries are at least three times more powerful than lithium-ion batteries at room temperature
It’s safe to say solid-state batteries clearly win across board. But why are they not mainstream yet? We’ll get there in a bit.
Are Solid-State Batteries Better for the Environment?
The answer is yes. Ceramic solid-state batteries have a lower carbon footprint as few materials are used to produce them. As a result, they are considerably better for the environment.
In an electric car, statistics show ceramic solid-state batteries can reduce the impact of the car on the environment and climate by up to 39% compared to the effects of lithium-ion batteries over the same life cycle. Since solid-state batteries have higher energy density, they’ll require far fewer manufacturing materials and fewer emissions.
In addition, ceramic solid-state batteries will also use up fewer resources during their lifetime. Since they charge significantly faster and also take longer before they are completely depleted, users will use few resources to manage these batteries.
We should also mention that this longevity means fewer batteries would need to be manufactured and replaced over time, reducing the environmental strain associated with raw material extraction, production, and disposal.
That said, let us explore the other benefits of ceramic solid-state batteries.
The Key Benefits of Ceramic Solid-State Batteries
The technology of ceramic solid-state batteries is still in development. However, it already offers several potential areas of improvement over the current batteries on the market today.
Here are some of the advantages that solid-state batteries offer:
A higher factor of safety
The liquid component of lithium-ion batteries is one of the most pressing safety challenges since it is volatile and flammable. Since solid-state batteries do not contain liquid electrolyte, they are generally safer and more stable. In addition, the solid ceramic forms a more stable and more heat-resistant separator between the anode and cathode of the battery, which effectively prevents short circuits.
Greater energy density
Another area where ceramic solid-state batteries shine is its improved energy density. Ceramic solid-state batteries use a pure metal anode as opposed to the graphite anode in lithium-ion batteries. This leads to a huge increase in the battery’s energy density, resulting in a lighter and smaller battery.
Super fast charging times
Studies show that ceramic solid-state batteries may be able to charge as much as six times faster than all the other battery technologies on the market today. While the exact numbers are not concrete yet, research suggests that these batteries could reach up to 80% charge in as little as 10 or 15 minutes.
In addition, ceramic solid-state will also be able to perform better at higher temperatures since ceramics are generally more resistant to heat.
Increased capacity and range
Since the solid ceramic electrolyte eliminates the need for a separator (as seen in lithium-ion batteries), the solid-state batteries will generally be smaller after production. In addition, the improved energy density of solid-state batteries means that more can be packed into less. In other words, batteries can be more powerful without becoming too bulky. Solid-state batteries will also have less weight.
Source: Unsplash
It is impossible to deny the various aspects where ceramic solid-state batteries shine. But let’s examine the various challenges or drawbacks they have.
The Challenges of Ceramic Solid-State Batteries
The technology of ceramic solid-state batteries promises to revolutionize the energy storage industry while boosting the efficiency of electric vehicles. However, there are still some critical hurdles it must overcome before it is ready for consumers and the market.
Here are three reasons the breakthrough of solid-state batteries has not happened yet:
Stability issues
When a solid-state battery is charging, its cells expand and then return to normal during discharging—almost like the cell is breathing. This causes some level of instability, which will eventually lead to the deterioration of the battery. To solve this problem, there has to be innovation on a way to keep the solid-state cells fixed and compressed at the same time.
It is most effective at higher temperatures
Since solid electrodes are better conductors at higher temperatures—typically temperatures above 50 degrees, it means that the solid-state battery may not be very effective when it’s cool. As a result, work must be done to ensure that the solid-state battery performs well at lower temperatures.
High production Cost
Another major challenge with the ceramic solid-state battery is its relatively high manufacturing costs. While the technology is undoubtedly innovative, its expensive cost of production presents a significant hurdle to scaling it.
Source: Unsplash
Bringing It Together
The prospect of ceramic solid-state batteries is exciting as they hold the key to solving many problems that consumers and businesses currently face with lithium-ion batteries. From higher energy efficiency to faster charging times, and improved safety, the advantages that these newer battery technologies offer are numerous.
However, the journey to mass adoption requires more innovation to solve the existing challenges with ceramic solid-state batteries. That said, solid-state battery technology promises to redefine energy solutions, and we can’t wait to see it hit the market!