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From the 19th century to the 21st century: What are the amazing twists in the history of solid-state batteries?
Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are batteries that use solid electrolytes to conduct ions between electrodes, with the potential to provide higher energy density than conventional batteries that use liquid or gel-like polymer electrolytes. Since the first discovery of solid electrolytes in the 19th century, solid-state batteries have gone through centuries of development and challenges, and finally gained widespread attention in the early 21st century, especially in the application of electric vehicles (EVs).
Historical Origins
The origins of solid-state batteries can be traced back to 1831, when Michael Faraday discovered silver sulfide and lead fluoride, laying the foundation for solid-state ionic conduction. Over time, especially in the 1960s, the discovery of fast ion-conducting β-bauxite ushered in a new wave of solid-state battery technology. At this time, Ford Motor and Japan's NGK began to develop liquid sodium/β-bauxite/sulfur battery systems with higher energy density.
From the 20th century to the 21st century: the rise of downstream applications
With the advancement of technology, in 2011, the world demonstrated for the first time a solid electrolyte, Li10GeP2S12 (LGPS), that can outperform liquid electrolytes at room temperature, triggering renewed attention in the automotive industry to solid-state battery technology. Automakers including Toyota and Ford have increased their investments to pursue this emerging market. In 2017, John Goodyear, co-founder of lithium batteries, demonstrated a solid-state glass battery based on glass electrolyte, paving the way for the future of this technology.
"The potential of solid-state batteries lies not only in higher energy density, but also in safety and high performance."
After 2020, with the emergence of QuantumScape and other startups, the development of solid-state batteries has gradually accelerated. In 2021, Toyota announced plans to launch a hybrid vehicle equipped with solid-state batteries in 2025, showing huge market potential.
Materials and technologies for solid-state batteries
In terms of material selection for solid-state batteries, ceramics such as lithium orthosilicate, glass, and sulfide have become the main candidates. The advantages of these materials are that they provide higher thermal stability and ionic conductivity. In 2023, Panasonic released a solid-state battery designed specifically for drones that can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 3 minutes. This achievement will undoubtedly drive innovation in a variety of mobile devices.
Challenges and prospects
Although solid-state batteries bring significant performance advantages, their widespread application faces challenges such as cost, durability, and material stability. The manufacturing cost of thin-film solid-state batteries needs to be further reduced. To this end, different companies are actively exploring efficient and low-cost production methods. In the next few years, major car manufacturers have begun to conduct research and development simultaneously, working together to break through the various technical bottlenecks of solid-state batteries.
"The future of solid-state batteries depends on technological innovation, human collaboration, and persistence in taking on challenges."
With the increase in market demand and the maturity of technology, the application scope of solid-state batteries is expanding, from electric vehicles to wearable technology, drones and other fields. Whether we can reach the top of battery technology depends on how we solve the many challenges we currently face and ultimately achieve commercial application. This makes us wonder, how will solid-state batteries redefine our daily lives and technological environment in the next 20 years?
