The Horizon 2020 SOLiDIFY consortium has successfully developed a high-performance lithium-metal solid-state battery with 20% higher energy density than current lithium-ion batteries. The innovative prototype battery, manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility at EnergyVille, Belgium, features a unique “liquid-to-solid” processed electrolyte, jointly developed by imec, Empa, and SOLVIONIC.
The prototype battery boasts an impressive energy density of 1070 Wh/L, significantly surpassing the 800 Wh/L of current lithium-ion batteries. Its manufacturing process, which is both cost-effective and adaptable to existing lithium-ion battery production lines, paves the way for commercially viable solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electromobility.
The growing demand for electric vehicles to address climate change has created a pressing need for high-performance batteries that can deliver extended range and faster charging times. However, the cost of these batteries, which currently accounts for nearly half the price of an EV, remains a significant challenge. Solid-state batteries, with their potential for higher energy density and reduced fire risk, offer a promising solution.
The SOLiDIFY consortium’s achievement lies in creating a prototype battery that combines a high-energy-density cathode with a thin lithium-metal anode and a thin solid electrolyte separator. The unique “liquid-to-solid” solidification process used for the electrolyte enabled the creation of a compact battery cell stack with a reduced flammability and improved safety.
Key features of the SOLiDIFY battery include:
– High energy density: 1070 Wh/L
– Cost-effective manufacturing: Adaptable to existing lithium-ion production lines
– Improved safety: Reduced flammability due to thermally stable electrolyte
– Environmental sustainability: Cobalt-lean cathodes reduce environmental impact
The SOLiDIFY H2020 project comprised the development of a manufacturable solid-state lithium-metal battery technology based on a unique liquid-to-solid processed solid electrolyte which is impregnated into the electrodes providing multiple advantages towards cell performance and upscale manufacturing both directly in relation with the cost of cell. The SOLiDIFY consortium consisted of research centers imec/EnergyVille (Belgium), Fraunhofer (Germany), Centro Ricerche Fiat SCPA (Italy), and Empa (Switzerland), Hasselt University/EnergyVille (Belgium) and Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands); as well as industry partners VDL Groep (The Netherlands), Umicore (Belgium), Solith (Italy), SOLVIONIC (France), Sidrabe (Latvia), Leclanché (Switzerland), Gemmate Technologies (Italy) and Powall (The Netherlands). The project has received funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and was coordinated by imec.
[source: Empa]
