Prof. Fichtner: China-Zelle mit 2.000 km Reichweite? TalentNewEnergy | Geladen Podcast

Summary

The Beijing startup Talent New Energy announced a new solid-state battery cell with an extremely high energy density, claiming it could enable electric vehicles to travel over 2000 km on a single charge. The cell prototype is said to achieve 720 watt-hours per kilogram, doubling the current industry-leading figures. Experts discuss the plausibility of these claims, comparing it to other recent advancements in battery technology, and the challenges of scaling up lab research to industrial production. The discussion highlights the potential for breakthroughs in solid-state batteries and the ongoing research in the field.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Talent New Energy, a Beijing-based startup, announced a new solid-state battery cell with an extremely high energy density, claiming a prototype could achieve 720 watt-hours per kilogram, potentially allowing electric vehicles to travel over 2000 km on a single charge.
• 🔍 The announcement has generated significant media attention, both in Germany and internationally, with skepticism and optimism about the feasibility of such a breakthrough in battery technology.
• 🆚 In comparison, Chinese automaker Neo recently announced a semi-solid-state battery with 360 watt-hours per kilogram, aiming to achieve a 1000 km range, which was already considered groundbreaking.
• 🤔 The speaker expresses cautious optimism, noting that while the information provided is sparse, the potential of the technology is exciting, and similar concepts are slowly being transferred from research to industry.
• 💡 The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the different approaches to solid-state batteries, including ceramic electrolytes, lithium metal batteries, and anode-free systems, each with their own energy density and challenges.
• 📉 Current lithium-ion batteries have an energy density of around 300 watt-hours per kilogram, and the script mentions that solid-state batteries with ceramic electrolytes might not surpass this value due to material rigidity and expansion issues.
• 🔋 The script describes lithium metal batteries and lithium-polymer batteries as having slightly higher energy densities, around 400 watt-hours per kilogram, but with ongoing stability and safety concerns.
• 🌐 The recent advancements in anode-free systems have shown promise, with reported energy densities exceeding 400 watt-hours per kilogram, although the materials used are still not stable enough for industrial application in vehicles.
• 🧪 The speaker mentions the need to see the actual data and performance of Talent New Energy's battery to assess its real-world potential, as the claims made are significantly higher than current industry standards.
• 🔬 The script touches on the technical aspects of the battery, such as the ultra-thin dense composite oxide electrolyte and the use of lithium-rich cathode materials based on manganese, which are still areas of active research.
• 🔄 The concept of 'almost solid-state batteries' is introduced as a potential compromise, where a small amount of non-flammable liquid is added to improve performance and maintain contact between materials, which could be a step towards more stable and safe solid-state batteries.

Q & A

What is the announcement made by the Beijing startup Talent New Energy on April 2nd?

Talent New Energy announced a new solid-state battery cell with extremely high energy density, claiming that a prototype of the new third-generation cell could achieve 720 watt-hours per kilogram.

What is the potential impact of this new battery cell on electric vehicles?

If the cell can be mass-produced, it could enable electric vehicles to have a range of over 2000 km.

How does the energy density of the new battery cell compare to the current state-of-the-art technology?

The new cell claims to have an energy density of 720 watt-hours per kilogram, which is significantly higher than the current lithium-ion batteries at around 300 watt-hours per kilogram and even higher than the recently announced half-solid-state battery from Chinese carmaker Neo at 360 watt-hours per kilogram.

What is the significance of the term 'solid-state battery' in the context of this announcement?

A solid-state battery refers to a type of battery that uses a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, which can potentially offer higher energy density, safety, and longevity.

What are the challenges associated with the development and production of solid-state batteries?

Challenges include the difficulty in manufacturing a completely ceramic battery cell, maintaining the cell's operation, and managing the mechanical stresses and material interfaces within the cell.

What is the current status of the solid-state battery technology mentioned in the script?

The technology is still in the prototype phase, with some skepticism about its feasibility and the actual performance metrics due to the lack of detailed information.

What is the role of Professor Maximilian Fichtner in the context of this discussion?

Professor Maximilian Fichtner is a guest in the podcast, providing his expertise in solid-state chemistry and offering insights into the innovation and challenges of the new battery technology.

How does the energy density of the new battery cell compare to other types of batteries mentioned in the script?

The new battery cell's claimed energy density of 720 watt-hours per kilogram is higher than lithium-ion batteries, ceramic solid-state batteries, and even lithium metal batteries, which are mentioned to be around or below 400 watt-hours per kilogram.

What is the significance of the term 'anode-free' in the context of solid-state batteries?

An 'anode-free' system refers to a battery design that does not use the traditional anode material, allowing lithium to deposit directly during charging, which can save mass and volume and potentially increase energy density.

What are the potential safety advantages of the new solid-state battery over traditional lithium-ion batteries?

The new solid-state battery is expected to be safer due to the absence of a flammable liquid electrolyte, reducing the risk of fire or explosion in the event of a short circuit or other malfunction.

What is the current skepticism around the claims made by Talent New Energy regarding their new battery cell?

The skepticism arises from the lack of detailed information on the battery's construction and the significant leap in energy density compared to current technologies, as well as the absence of peer-reviewed research supporting these claims.