- The new technology used a solid polymer material, weakly bonded to the lithium-ion
- Presently, it It is been tested in a coin cell battery
According to a report by Newatlas, researchers at Australia’s Deakin University said that they have managed to use common industrial polymers to create solid electrolytes. This breakthrough will pave the way for double-density solid state lithium batteries that will not explode or catch fire if get overheated said the report.
The report said that the new technology used a solid polymer material, weakly bonded to the lithium-ion to replace the volatile liquid solvents which are used as electrolytes in current battery cells. Dr Xiaoen Wang from Deakin’s Institute for frontier materials said that if industry implements their findings, then in the future, battery reliant devices can be safely packed in air plane baggage. She further added that in the future, electric cars will not pose a fire risk for occupants or emergency services.
Lithium metal anode
As per the report, the team of researchers also believed that the solid polymer electrolyte will allow batteries to work with a lithium metal anode. Dr Wang also said that this could lead to double the energy density of lithium batteries. Getting to the energy density of 500 Wh/kg will allow smaller, cheaper and lighter battery packs.
The team said that presently it has used only existing commercial polymers in the new process. It is been tested in a coin cell battery and the team is going forward to build the kind of pouch cell that is used in a mobile phone. After that, the team will look for commercial partners to roll out the solid state cells in the market.
