Batteries, said Elon Musk, are the key to the future. They have powered the tech revolution that has brought the world smartphones, tablets and, as consumers are encouraged to turn away from fossil fuels, electric cars. Yet the science behind the lithium-ion batteries that drive the modern world has remained largely unchanged for more than three decades.
The lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles amplify the dirty secret that haunts the industry. They contain hundreds of kilogrammes of metals, especially graphite, cobalt and high-purity nickel, that can — during the mining and refining process — cause significant pollution and increase CO2 emissions. Safety is another concern: these batteries are prone to fires and explosions.
Such drawbacks make the excitement around solid-state batteries — a much-touted technology that promises to resolve many of these environmental and safety concerns — understandable. The next generation power source, so-called for the thin layer of solid electrolytes that replace the flammable liquid solution in current lithium-ion batteries, can store energy far more densely. The electrolytes also double as the battery’s separator, a key component in a lithium-ion battery, reducing the fire risk and the amount of raw materials needed.