KATHMANDU: Chinese scientists have made major progress in developing all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries that could allow electric vehicles to travel over 1,000 km with a 100-kg battery pack, according to state broadcaster CCTV. At present, most solid-state batteries can power vehicles for around 500 km.
Solid-state batteries are safer and more energy-efficient but have faced challenges due to poor contact between the solid parts of the battery. Researchers from three institutes have now found different ways to fix this problem.
The Institute of Physics added tiny amounts of iodine ions to help connect materials more evenly. The Institute of Metal Research created a flexible polymer-based material that can bend without breaking and store more energy. Meanwhile, Tsinghua University used fluorinated materials to make batteries more stable and resistant to heat and pressure.
These advances mark a major step toward commercializing high-energy, safer solid-state lithium-metal batteries.
However, experts noted that further industrial testing and validation are still required before large-scale production begins.
