There are so simply so many distinct types of batteries. We have old-school alkaline batteries that have powered everything from your childhood toys to smoke detectors. There is a huge chance that your phone, tablet, or laptop uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. But there is a new type of battery that is slowly entering the market—solid-state batteries. Today we are going to discuss what they are, what they can do, if they’re better than lithium-ion, and even more questions you might have. So, let’s dive in.
What Are Solid-State Batteries?
To be cut and dry, a solid-state battery is a newly adapted battery technology designed to output electrical current using a solid electrolyte internal structure rather than a liquid-based structure found in lithium-ion batteries. Both solid-state and lithium-ion batteries are both rechargeable formats and that’s where the similarities end. To fully understand a solid-state battery, we have to break down what a lithium-ion battery is to fully compare the two technologies.
Lithium-ion batteries utilize liquid material along with multiple separators to store and disperse electrical energy. Each lithium-ion cell features two electrodes consisting of a cathode and an anode that represent the positive and negative poles, respectively. A thin layer called a central separator rest between the anode and cathode deposits and acts as an insulator. What fills the battery is the electrolyte medium consisting of an organic liquid that contains lithium salt. This fills the entire cavity within the cell and allows the ions to move by acting as the connecting link between the cathode and the anode.
A solid-state battery is quite different as all parts within the cell are solid. We have a cathode, a separator, and the anode. The separator acts as both the divider between the cathode and the anode, and it also becomes the medium through which ions move; hence the “solid-state” part of the name. These separators are made from solid polymers, glass, or even ceramics like oxides, phosphates, and sulfides amongst other compounds.
How Do They Release and Charge?
For both types of batteries, lithium is stored in the cathode and anode. When in use and releasing electrical current, lithium ions are moving from the anode to the cathode through the separator. The movement of these ions creates electrons in the anode layer which creates an electrical charge that travels through the positive current contact. This then powers up your device and then flows down to the negative current contact into the cathode. When you charge your battery, the reverse happens. This is sometimes why your phone or electronic device heats up while charged, because physical atoms are moving from one side of the battery to the next!
What Is the Lifespan of a Solid-State Battery?
Most solid-state batteries usually last significantly longer than current lithium-ion batteries. They’re able to withstand upward of 10,000 charge cycles and you can get anywhere from 15 to 40 years of usage out of a single solid-state battery. This is due to the solid barrier inside the battery which reduces the risks of thermal runaway and degradation that lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to.
Are Solid-State Batteries Better than Lithium-Ion?
In short, yes. Solid-state batteries tend to last longer in terms of general lifespan but they also perform better too! These can charge faster and withhold electricity for much longer periods of time in comparison. Additionally, since solid-state batteries do not have liquid components, punctures that result in rather explosive consequences are severely diminished.
Solid-state batteries are still being developed and deployed across various devices. It might take a while to become more established, but the positive aspects of this technology far outweigh the negative. Make sure you keep an eye on B&H for more information, tips, and guides on the latest technologies!
