https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEM6XF7Yh5f2YpwUyVNY8wg4…
The problem with solid state batteries is that they do no solve the problem that we thought they would solve. Dendrites.
This professor at the Indian Institute of Science has found out why and created a solution to the dendrite problem. He probably solved a bunch of other problems and created a few too. (Ok, I am an optimist. He probably solved one problem a little and created a bunch more)
What I find interesting is that this does not seem to be a collaborative effort with multiple universities. Additionally, that the premise that the solid state battery would solve the dendrite problem is so wrong along with, he might have solved the dendrite problem in liquid LI - ION batteries allowing for safer and more energy dense cells in the current formats with the current factories.
In their research, they realised that microscopic ‘voids’ were developing in the lithium anode during discharge. The currents concentrated at the edges of these voids were about 10,000 times more than the average currents across the battery cell. This, they deduced, was creating stress on the solid electrolyte, leading to dendrite formation.
The bolded is crazy important. If the same thing is happening in standard cells we are looking a paradigm shift in battery technology. The closest analogy I can draw is the move from Carburetors to multipoint fuel injection. That move moved gasoline engines from 90,000 mile engines to 200,000 mile engines and dramatically increased fuel efficiency and power density. (Batteries while they do have a power density metric are generally measured in energy density and internal combustion engines while they can have an energy density metric if the fuel system is included are generally measured in power density so please do not be confused here)
Cheers
Qazulight