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How do solid-state batteries work?

Solid-state batteries have a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries.

Published: May 24, 2022 at 10:00 am

Most conventional electric vehicles and mobile phones use lithium-ion batteries, which have an electrolytegel inside them to separatethe positively charged graphite anode fromthe negatively chargedlithium cathode.

These are relatively cheap to make but suffer from thermal runaway – heat them beyond a specific temperature and an unstoppable chain reaction causes them to disintegrate in fiery explosions.

Solid-state batteries replace the electrolyte gel with a solid material such as ceramic or glass, which makes them less flammable, faster charging, lighter, and higher power.

At present, they’re still under development and remain costly to manufacture. This maysoonchange,as companies are spending billions on the development of thisnew technology.

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Asked by: John Awbery, via email

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