Samsung pushes ahead on solid-state batteries

Monday, 23 March 2020

Samsung has detailed its prototype solid-state battery for electric vehicles, which is smaller than a typical lithium-ion battery but capable of holding more charge and degrading more slowly.

The South Korean's prototype is claimed to be around 50 per cent smaller than the batteries powering EVs currently on sale while offering range of up to 800km between charges. This may change depending on application, as a car's weight and body design can impact efficiency.

The prototype uses a newly developed anode that can potentially offer a lifespan of more than 1000 full charges, meaning a battery with an 800km range should last around 800,000km. The anode is made from a silver-carbon composite layer in place of lithium-metal anodes, which can trigger the growth of dendrites (crystals that form during charging) that can 'produce undesirable side effects that reduce a battery's lifespan and safety.'

Solid-state batteries are the next big thing for EVs, offering more range, more charges with less added weight and less space used.

According to Samsung, adding the silver-carbon layer 'enabled the battery to support a larger capacity, a longer life cycle and enhanced its overall safety.'

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Given this is just a prototype, by the time the solid-state battery reaches full production, we would expect that range claim to increase some.

As an aside, liberal use of DC fast chargers can reduce a batteries capacity faster than using slower charge points. This is true for both li-ion-based batteries and solid-state packs, it seems.

'The product of this study could be a seed technology for safer, high-performance batteries of the future. Going forward, we will continue to develop and refine all-solid-state battery materials and manufacturing technologies to help take EV battery innovation to the next level,' said Dongmin Im, Master at SAIT's Next Generation Battery Lab and the leader of the projec.

Some carmakers, like Porsche, are holding off on electrifying their entire line-ups because current battery technology is too heavy. Solid-state packs should provide the remedy these manufacturers are looking for.