SSBs are typically made with technology that uses solid electrodes and a solid electrolyte, instead of the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries.
While the batteries can already be produced, their low energy density has so far dissuaded manufacturers from embracing the technology.
But a new study led by Sandia National Laboratories in the US is tackling the long-held assumption that adding some liquid electrolyte to improve performance would make solid-state batteries unsafe.
Instead, the research team found that in many cases SSBs with a little liquid electrolyte were safer than their lithium-ion counterparts (pictured). They also found that if the battery were to short-circuit, releasing all its stored energy, the theoretically super-safe, all-solid-state battery could put out a dangerous amount of heat.
“Solid-state batteries have the potential to be safer, and they have the potential for higher energy...