LR1130 battery.Batteries changing the world: three novel but promising battery technologies

　　Batteries Changing the World, brought to you by Electronics Enthusiasts: Three novel but promising battery technologies. New battery technologies are being developed. It’s one thing in the lab, but it’s another to find cost-effective production methods for mass production. Another thing. ##Novel battery technology may no longer use lithium, but it also has its own inherent flaws. In addition, miniaturization is also a major direction for the development of battery technology.

　　With the development of technology today, our demand for better batteries is also increasing. Because although the computing power of devices and the fields of use of devices are constantly expanding, the power supply capabilities of batteries have undergone almost no noticeable changes. In recent times, the news media have been reporting endlessly on various new battery technology breakthroughs, but most of these new technologies are difficult to commercialize; as people keep repeating: What happens in the laboratory is It is another thing to find cost-effective production methods for mass production.

　　But the battery race continues: Electric carmakers are looking for batteries that are cheaper, lighter, more powerful and longer lasting. Electronic device manufacturers are also looking for batteries that are more reliable, last longer and charge faster. Manufacturers of wearable and medical implantable devices are more inclined to smaller, longer-lasting battery technology. Renewable energy companies are also looking for battery technology that can stably charge and discharge thousands of times.

　　Among the new battery technologies we hear about all the time, we’ve selected three that have the most practical promise. We analyze how far away these technologies are from practical application and what impact they may have in the future.

　　solid state battery

　　Let’s start with an emerging technology that avoids the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. This technology is called solid-state battery technology, and it comes in many forms. To understand why this type of battery is safer, we can first look at why lithium batteries are at risk of spontaneous combustion.

　　Most traditional lithium batteries have two electrodes (anode and cathode). Between the cathode and anode is a liquid electrolyte that conducts lithium ions. The main problem with lithium batteries is that the electrolyte is very flammable. If the lithium battery is damaged or is hit hard, the battery may catch fire, and the following situations may occur:

　　Solid-state batteries do not have a liquid electrolyte; they use a layer of other materials to conduct ions and generate energy between two electrodes.

　　Safety is only one aspect of solid-state battery technology. Because there is no liquid electrolyte in solid-state batteries, they don't need additional layers of protection, so they can be lighter and smaller. This is great news for automakers. The Advanced Advanced Energy Research Projects Agency (ARpA-E) of the U.S. Department of Energy has multiple solid-state battery development projects, some of which are developing solid-state lithium-ion batteries, and some of which are developing solid-state batteries of other materials.

　　The leader in the field of solid-state battery research is SakTI3, whose CEO is AnnMarie Sastry. Kevin Bullis of "MIT Technology Review" described the work done by SakTI3 and Sastry in an article. The company's current focus is how to achieve large-scale production of solid-state lithium batteries. The article reads:

　　“She is also developing manufacturing technologies that will facilitate mass production. ‘If your overall goal is to change the way people drive, your criteria can’t just be the best energy density and more charge cycles.’ She Says, 'The main goal is to withstand the necessary performance while providing the necessary performance'."

　　The work on SakTI3 sounds exciting, but the company has been secretive about its technology, so the types of electrolyte materials used in the battery are currently unknown, and of course the types of materials that will be used in large-scale production are unknown. It has a huge impact on costs in manufacturing. But we know that SakTI3 has received venture capital, including General Motors, and the company claimed as early as last year that it had achieved twice the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries. Another solid-state battery company, QuantumScape, has been much quieter, but there are rumors that the company is also working on similar technology.

　　So, how long until we can actually use solid-state batteries? For now, it's still too early to achieve large-scale commercialization of solid-state batteries. The challenge of battery technology is not just the electrochemical principles used in batteries. The real breakthrough is to achieve mass production in factories and to achieve a more cost-effective price than traditional batteries.

　　Steve LeVine conducted an in-depth exploration of the commercialization process of battery innovation in his new book Thepowerhouse. He spent several years tracking Envia, a battery startup that eventually became a universal cathode supplier. However, upon final delivery, GM found out after inspection. The batteries Envia delivered fell short of the standards it claimed. Eventually, GM ended Envia's contract.

　　As LeVine explains, the most exciting thing about battery technology right now is not the battery, but the manufacturing process. “What excites me is seeing the emergence of new battery technologies that can break through manufacturing cost constraints,” he said, noting that the U.S. Department of Energy is now also focusing on innovation in production processes rather than just innovation in electrochemical principles. “I think That’s what’s worth looking forward to.”

　　Tesla's Gigafactory under construction

　　Even Elon Musk is trying to solve this problem. His Gigafactory, which is under construction, attempts to bring the entire battery manufacturing process into one factory, which is a big bet, but it seems that Tesla believes it can beat the competition. Keep in mind, this is for battery technology that's not that groundbreaking. But this is a game about economies of scale, and even Musk faces criticism that the technology may become obsolete before the factory is even built.

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