Companies and Technologies Present at the Cambridge EnerTech Solid-State Battery Conference
The Solid State Batteries Conference on August 2 and 3 by the Cambridge EnerTech Institute. This article reviews some of the companies and technologies presented at this event.
- Arpa-E projects in the field of solid-state batteries
A series of 16 subprojects in a project called IONIC (Integration and Optimization of Novel Ion-Conducting Solids) have been underway since 2016 to upgrade solid-state electrolyte technology for use in batteries and fuel cells. These projects cover different parts of this technology. 24M Technologies is working on developing lithium anodes for solid-state batteries. Polymer and ceramic composite electrolytes prevent lithium dendrite formation and premature battery destruction. Through Flash Sintering, the American Manufacturing Company is optimizing and increasing the rate of oxide electrolyte production. Ionic Materials Corporation received a $ 6.7 million grant to develop solid polymer electrolytes for solid-state batteries operating at room temperature. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Iowa (Iowa State University) study glass-ceramic electrolytes. Other companies such as Sila Nanotechnologies, Polyplus, and the University of Colorado have also contributed to the IONIC project.
- Introduction of Blue Solutions technology:
Another topic discussed in this article is introducing the technology used in Blue Solutions' solid-state batteries. The company has raised its technology under LMP or Lithium Metal Polymer. The company's battery contains a solid polymer electrolyte consisting of polyethylene oxide, lithium salt, and a fluorine-containing polymer such as PVDF. One of the advantages of this battery is the use of a high voltage cathode in contact with the polymer base electrolyte, without decomposition of the polymer. Additionally, increasing the mechanical strength of the battery prevents short-circuiting and delays electrolyte degradation.
- Introducing one of Toyota's technologies in solid electrolytes
One type of solid electrolyte developed by Toyota is a hybrid electrolyte that consists of two components. One of these components is the solid sulfide electrolyte (lithium thiosulfate), also known as glass-ceramic electrolytes or Argyrodite structures. The second component consists of a flexible electrolyte composed of boron and hydrogen elements capable of withstanding the volume changes of lithium anodes, especially silicon, and is more resistant to mechanical stresses.
- Another part of this forum is the introduction of Prologium's achievements.
The company focuses on the use of solid oxide electrolytes. Polymer electrolytes help improve the contact between solid particles of the electrolyte and the electrode. As a result, the battery charge time was reduced to 12 minutes, according to the company. One of the strengths of this company’s battery is its high safety against thermal damage (Thermal Runaway). In the ProLogium battery, factors react with the aluminum current collector if the battery's temperature rises too high, releasing aluminum ions lead to change the nature of the active ingredients in the positive and negative poles. Then the battery voltage decreases so the energy of the active ingredients reduces and prevents fire.
At the end of this article, it can be concluded that one of the main goals of this conference is to study the technologies used to increase the life and physical stability of solid electrolytes. Improving safety, which is one of the advantages of solid-state batteries compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, is also in the spotlight. You can refer to the BattScout solid-state electrolyte patent report to access the latest achievements of solid-state electrolytes and review active companies' technology.
