The Rise of the Solid-State Battery: Why Teaching this Tech is Becoming Increasingly Important
The rise of the solid-state battery is upon us. Recently, one Chinese manufacturer announced it would be mass producing its first-generation solid-state battery, and is already working on second-generation production.
What is this technology, and when did it become so critical to the automotive industry? Let’s explore solid state battery technology and how to apply it to your automotive instruction.
What is a Solid-State Battery?
Solid state batteries are a type of cell that eliminates the use of a liquid electrolyte. As these technologies are developed the use of graphite decreases dramatically within the anode, which improves the energy density of the cell. Graphite (Carbon) has been a reliable material within the Li-Ion cell, the need for a better performing material is required to increase energy capacity. Eliminating the use of a liquid electrolyte further increases the power capability of the cell along with minimizing potential failure. The decreased combustible material is a major feature of this type of technology. Without these volatile components, the possibility of combustion if the battery housing is punctured decreases exponentially.
The decreased battery material components increases the energy density of the cell by 2.5 times higher than a conventional Li-Ion cell. Throughout the EV industry, the use of Silicon (Si) is becoming more prevalent within the high voltage electrical components. Utilizing Si within the anode material allows for a faster charge acceptability which can decrease the charge time and also decrease the temperature elevation of the cell when charging. Managing the heat generated with charging or discharging will increase the life of the cell along with increasing the safety of the pack.
With this decrease in charging time, it can provide an easier adaptation to the lives of the public, which would make the recharging/refueling time like that of filling a petroleum powered vehicle. Along with decreased charging time, the structure of the cell will allow for an increased number of charging cycles while maintaining a 90 percent charge capacity.
This is possible because one Si atom can capture four lithium atoms which is very different from the Carbon (Graphite) anode that takes six atoms to capture one lithium atom. This decrease in required anode material allows designers to make a more power dense cell thus increasing the range and decreasing the time it takes to charge the cells.
OEM’s have been researching solid state technology since 1834 when English scientist Michael Faraday discovered solid electrolytes silver sulfide and lead fluoride could ionize power transfer between an anode and cathode. Several OEMs are developing this technology. Ford is currently developing solid state technology through their Solid Power company for use in their vehicles. Volkswagen has partnered with Quantum Scape which is a solid-state battery startup based in California. Toyota seems to be farther ahead than most with over 1,331 patents on solid state technology. The next closest competitor is Panasonic with 445 patents.
Why is the Solid-State Battery Increasing in Importance?
One of the main issues with utilizing Li-Ion battery technology for electric vehicle (EV) applications is their tendency for thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a systematic reaction within a battery’s cell that causes a chemical reaction in the cell that overheats it until it starts on fire. Without a consistent cooling system present to maintain cell temperatures, the possibility of a battery thermal event rises quickly.
As development of the next level of battery technology commences, the progression toward solid state battery cells seems to be a foregone conclusion.
This would increase the safety of the EV along with increasing the rate at which the vehicle's battery can be recharged. One of the major issues with EV adoption is the time to recharge and range anxiety. The utilization of next generation solid state battery technology can help to decrease the charging time and increase the range of the battery pack. Solid state technology also decreases the possibility of a thermal event once the batteries cooling systems are compromised in a collision or failure.
According to solid-state battery developer QuantumScape, solid state technology will allow the battery to be charged to 80 percent in under 15 minutes. Solid-state batteries are often referred to as the “unicorn” of battery technology because of their longevity and quick recharge rate.
The elimination of a liquid electrolyte for a solid one removes the binders from the Silicon avoiding the complications of soaking the anode in a liquid that reduces the interfacial contact avoiding the capacity loss that occurs with liquid based electrolytes. This makes the battery a safer component of the vehicle and will minimize the possibility of fire after the vehicle’s cooling systems have been damaged in a wreck or a failure within the cooling loops.
Along with increased stability, the decreased size of the cell allows more cells to be stacked together to increase pack density within the vehicle. This increased size allows the vehicle to operate longer thus increasing the driver’s satisfaction with operation.
With this increase in OEM investment, the development of solid-state technology will increase exponentially within the coming years. Once the mass production of this type of technology reaches critical mass, the integration within the industry will be far reaching and will change the way electric vehicles operate for the foreseeable future.
How Can I Teach Solid State Batteries to my Auto Students?
CDX Learning Systems has developed its content to mirror where industry technology is headed to give the learner the material needed to be successful in the automotive repair industry. Keeping up with technology through our immersive content allows the student to find the way the material makes the most sense to them. Finding that learning dynamic that speaks to each learner, allows them to comprehend the material in a highly efficient manner. Download a sample chapter of Light Duty Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.
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About the Author:
Nicholas Goodnight, PhD is an ASE Master Certified Automotive and Truck Technician and an Instructor at Ivy Tech Community College. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, he brings his passion and expertise to teaching college students the workplace skills they need on the job. For the last several years, Dr. Goodnight has taught in his local community of Fort Wayne and enjoys helping others succeed in their desire to become automotive technicians.