Japanese firm TDK, a supplier for Apple, has announced a significant advancement in the materials used in their compact solid-state batteries. This innovation is expected to bring about considerable performance enhancements for devices ranging from wireless earphones to smart timepieces.
The novel material allows for an energy density of 1,000 watt-hours per litre. This output is nearly 100 times superior to the power produced by TDK’s presently manufactured battery. Since its 2020 introduction by TDK, competitors have advanced in creating compact solid-state batteries that offer 50 Wh/l. Meanwhile, rechargeable coin batteries using traditional liquid electrolyte provide roughly 400 Wh/l, as stated by the group.
Noboru Saito, TDK’s CEO, expressed confidence in the new material for solid-state batteries and its potential impact on societal power transformation. He pledged to continuously work on its development towards early commercialisation.
TDK’s forthcoming batteries will be wholly made from ceramic material, incorporating oxide-based solid electrolytes and lithium alloy anodes. The company explains that the battery’s high storage capacity for electrical charge will enable smaller devices and extended operating times. The oxide adds to the stability and safety of the battery. This battery technology is specifically tailored for use in smaller-sized cells, serving as a replacement for the existing coin-shaped batteries in watches and other compact electronics.
This advancement is a considerable leap in a technology sector that experts predict could revolutionise energy storage. However, the technology yet faces significant hurdlues, especially in mass manufacturing of larger battery sizes.
Solid-state batteries have potential in being lighter, safer and potentially more cost-effective than batteries that depend on liquid electrolytes. They promise longer functionality and quicker charging. Though breakthroughs in consumer electronics have influenced electric vehicles, the primary battery chemistries for these two sectors now vary significantly.
The adoption of ceramic materials by TDK implies that bigger batteries would be more breakable, suggesting that the technological hurdle of producing batteries for cars or even smartphones will not be overcome anytime soon, according to the company.
Senior research analyst at data and analytics firm Wood Mackenzie, Kevin Shang, pointed out that “unfavourable mechanical properties” and the difficulty and high cost of mass production are obstacles in implementing solid-state oxide-based battery technology into smartphones.
Solid-state batteries are expected to make a significant impact in electric vehicles by offering increased driving range, according to industry professionals. Japanese automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are at the forefront of this technological leap, with anticipated commercialisation dates ranging from 2027 to the end of the decade.
There’s a concentrated effort among car makers to develop sulphide-based electrolytes for long-distance electric vehicles. This is a variant to the oxide-based material formulated by TDK. Despite this progress, doubts remain about the speed of deployment for this highly publicised technology, especially for larger batteries required for electric vehicles.
Earlier this year, Robin Zeng – founder and CEO of CATL, the largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer worldwide – informed The Financial Times that solid-state batteries still suffer from reliability issues, lack of durability and safety concerns. CATL was originally a derivative of Amperex Technology (ATL), a TDK subsidiary and the leading global lithium-ion battery manufacturer.
TDK, a company established in 1935 and recognised during the mid-20th century as a lead cassette tape brand, has extensive experience in battery technology and materials. The company possesses a global market share of 50 to 60 per cent in small-capacity batteries used in smartphones and is angling to lead in the mid-capacity market that includes larger electronics and energy storage devices.
TDK aims to dispatch samples of its novel battery prototype to customers by next year and is hopeful to commence mass production thereafter. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2024