China Energy Storage Network News: "Lithium battery technology has almost reached its upper limit now. If you really want to increase energy density, you have to use a completely different technology."

　　There is currently nothing better suited to powering a smartphone or a Tesla than lithium batteries. Since their first introduction in 1991, rechargeable lithium batteries have become the universal standard for powering everyday technology devices and electric vehicles.

　　Data shows that the vast majority of the more than 3 million electric vehicles in the world are now powered by lithium batteries. But as the world moves toward an electric future, it's clear that we'll need better technology than lithium-ion batteries to meet humanity's future needs.

　　"Lithium battery technology has almost reached its ceiling now. If you really want to increase energy density, you have to use a completely different technology."

　　said Yifei Mo, professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Maryland. “Higher energy density means cheaper, lighter batteries that last longer on a single charge.”

　　Fortunately, some battery startups are working hard to develop better battery technology. Their ideal new battery is lower cost, more energy dense and better-performing, suitable for industrial and consumer technology products, as well as electric vehicles that charge faster and travel longer distances.

　　Starting this year, several start-ups developing battery technology believe they have mastered battery technology that is better than lithium batteries and plan to introduce them into the commercial market.

　　"It took us eight years and about 35,000 material attempts to get something commercially viable," said Gene Berdichevsky, CEO of Sila Nanotechnology.

　　In fact, Sila Nanotech is just one of several battery startups that have recently received significant funding to continue to optimize their battery technology. Last year, the Alameda, California-based company secured $70 million in Series D funding from investors including Siemens Global Ventures to build its first commercial production line for silicon anode cells.

　　It should be pointed out that Berdichevsky, who is a mechanical and energy engineer, was the seventh employee of Tesla ten years ago and was responsible for leading the design of the battery system of the Tesla Roadster model.

　　Analysts believe that the lithium battery revolution that is currently emerging has been brewing for about 10 years. Only now are startups ready to commercialize these new technologies.

　　“One car requires the same material as 10,000 smartphones or a thousand smart watches,” Berdichevsky said. “We will start with consumer devices and gradually expand our work with cars over the next five years. Cooperation of partners.”

　　BMW has now become one of Sila's automotive partners.

　　At present, lithium batteries are subject to various limitations in terms of material composition and physical energy density. New battery technology attempts to improve the safety and energy efficiency of lithium batteries, meaning there is no risk of fire if the battery overheats or becomes damaged.

　　A new battery technology is solid-state batteries, which not only replace the graphite anode with a lithium metal material, but also replace the liquid electrolyte and separator with a solid piece (usually ceramic, glass or flame-retardant polymer).

　　Among the first in the industry to adopt this approach is Solid Power, a Colorado-based solid-state battery manufacturer that raised $20 million in Series A funding in 2018.

　　According to Solid Power executives, the batteries they are developing will increase energy density by at least 50%.

　　Quantumscape, a rather mysterious Stanford University spin-out, is also working with Volkswagen to develop a solid-state battery. Last year, Volkswagen increased its stake in the former by US$100 million. The San Jose-based startup is now valued at $1.75 billion, according to PitchBook.

　　Media reports say Quantumscape's batteries will enable Volkswagen's E-Golf model to travel 466 miles (approximately 750 kilometers) on a single charge, making it comparable to the range of traditional gasoline-powered cars.

　　According to Volkswagen, Quantumscape's batteries will also be lighter and charge faster than existing lithium batteries.

　　However, as a Nissan vice president said last year, a new generation of solid-state batteries may not be widely available until the next decade. Even in Quantumscape’s press release, we see that it has a stated goal of “commercial production by 2025.”

Read recommendations:

Lithium-ion battery GN-300

Brief introduction of lithium battery protection principle.industrial energy storage battery

Lithium Manganate Lithium - ion Batteries

551521 polymer battery

18650 lithium ion battery