The rapid rise of electric mobility and renewable energies is pushing the market for Li-ion batteries to next levels. By 2030, global battery demand is expected to have grown 19-fold versus 2018 volumes. Commercial Li-ion reaches their limits with gravimetric and volumetric energy densities of 300 Wh/kg and 700 Wh/L.
All solid-state battery (ASSB) is identified as the technology of the future overcoming many of the problems and limitations of conventional Li-ion technology.
Most battery technologies are still based on conventional liquid electrolyte systems which is a major concern for safety due to chemical instability and flammability of the liquid electrolyte.
For one, solid state mitigates the problems of flammability and leakage, making battery cells significantly safer.
ASSBs enable the use of higher capacity anode, in replacement of graphite, with no need of any more electrolyte, membrane and the formation of solid electrolyte interphasic layer, then reducing massively the dead mass and increasing the density energy up to 500 Wh/kg and 1500Wh/L. The solid-state batteries technology is clearly in the next step of major OEM’s roadmaps and will potentially represent 70% of the market in less than 10 years.
Benefits are numerous however challenges exist. SSB especially requires:
The development of new solid materials with high ionic conductivity which at the same time are mechanically resistant to volume change
The development of stable interfaces between the solid materials;
To decrease the dependence on critical raw material source and battery cell manufacturing;
Novel cost-competitive manufacturing processes.
Finally, the future batteries need to be manufactured in Europe avoiding the EU´s dependence on Asian companies and ensuring smooth energy transition for all Europeans.
AM4BAT is expected to make significant steps both in terms
of materials for solid cell components and manufacturing
processes to bring the SSB are from its infancy to maturity.