Solid State Battery as a Future Prospect - on the Verge of Industrial Production?

Increased range, shorter charging times, even more safety: the solid-state battery is considered as promising technology for next-generation battery systems – especially for electromobility. What is the current state of research? And when will the solid-state battery conquer the market? PD Dr Gunther Brunklaus, Helmholtz Institute Münster of Forschungszentrum Jülich, and Dr Andreas Roters, SCHOTT AG, explored these and other questions at the MEET Academy Online on 11 May 2022.

Solid-State Batteries Pose Challenges for Production

In his lecture "Options and Future of Polymer-based Electrolytes for Applications", PD Dr Gunther Brunklaus, Group Leader at Helmholtz Institute Münster of Forschungszentrum Jülich, highlighted various polymer materials, such as polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based and hybrid polymers. Yet, there is not a singular cell design for solid-state batteries, the scientist emphasised. Depending on the application, not only different polymer-based electrolytes and functional coatings can be used, but also different anode and cathode materials. While lithium metal is considered as established material on the anode side, materials such as lithium iron phosphate or nickel-rich lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt oxides can be employed on the cathode side, according to requirements of the vehicles. Further research is necessary, particularly in the area of upscaling of polymer materials, so that the solid-state battery can conquer the market, Dr Brunklaus said. 

"Aspects of the industrialisation of solid-state batteries" were the focus of the presentation by Dr Andreas Roters, Senior Project Manager at SCHOTT AG. "We are still in the process of research. The first industrialisation is expected within the next five years," Dr Roters said at the beginning of his lecture. "A trend is moving towards hybrid concepts for the electrolyte and cell concepts." This increases the possibilities, but also the complexity for the requirements for materials. Whether the solid-state battery will remain in a niche or become the next established technology in electromobility will be demonstrated by further development, he said. Both speakers emphasised that sustainability in the industrialisation of new battery technologies should be considered from the beginning.

Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB Enables Production Research

An important role in the scaling – also of solid-state batteries - is played by Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB currently being built in Münster.  Innovation labs, in which the technology readiness levels four, five and six can be achieved, as well as an infrastructure with can raise innovations to technology maturity level seven and eight, the Fraunhofer FFB is supposed to close the gap between research and industry in the future.

Next MEET Academy in November 2022

The 19th MEET Academy will take place in November 2022. The topic will be announced soon. The MEET Academy, which is free of charge, is organised by MEET Battery Research Center of the University of Münster.