Research, development, and innovation insights for solid-state lithium battery: laboratory to pilot line production

The demand for lithium-ion batteries is projected to grow significantly, driven by applications in EVs, BESS, and consumer electronics. The market is expected to expand from approximately 700 GWh in 2022 to over 4 TWh by 2030. Since their introduction by Sony in the early 1990s, conventional lithium-ion batteries have seen substantial advancements in technology. Initially, they used a carbon-based anode and a lithium cobalt oxide cathode. Over time, materials like lithium iron phosphate and lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide for cathodes, as well as silicon-based materials and lithium metal for anodes, have become dominant. The evolution of electrolytes from liquid to gel to solid-states aims to enhance safety and energy density. This perspective article provides an overview of the importance of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) in the future development of lithium batteries. It highlights the need to address the challenges in transitioning solid-state lithium battery manufacturing from the laboratory to pilot-line to industrial-scale upscaling. Collective efforts in research, development, and innovation in SSEs are essential. Collaboration among industry-academia is crucial to accelerate the adoption of these advancements, ensuring a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. The continuous progress in battery technology is vital for supporting diverse applications. Safety concerns and the need for high energy density have posed challenges for conventional liquid-state and gel-state electrolyte batteries. SSEs, including polymeric, oxides, sulfides, halides, and hybrids in lithium-metal battery systems, offer a promising alternative. Advancements in hybrid SSE recipes, modularity of manufacturing machinery, and an integrated global supply chain are key to the future development of SSE batteries.