Keywords: lithium metal foil, graphite, li-ion battery

Lithium battery technology appear new breakthrough. Founded by MIT alumni SolidEnergy company that has developed the new lithium metal anode of lithium-ion batteries, the energy density will be twice the current lithium ion battery, can significantly improve the battery life.

SolidEnergy executive, is also the research and development of the battery Qichao, Hu said the new lithium battery energy density is twice the lithium ion battery, so the volume only half as big as the lithium ion battery, can achieve the same discharge time. Volume or not to change the battery, the battery life is twice the length of a general lithium ion batteries.

The new lithium battery basically changed generally lithium battery cathode materials, graphite, into a very thin, high-energy lithium metal foil, to accommodate more lithium ion, and provide more capacitance. After chemical modification was carried out on the electrolyte, also make live shorter lives and have volatile safer lithium battery, and can charge for many times. In addition, the lithium battery can also be used existing lithium-ion battery production equipment manufacturing, and mass production.

SolidEnergy in October 2015, the first display designed for smartphones rechargeable lithium batteries, and won $12 million in funding for them. The lithium battery size is only half of the iPhone 6 built-in lithium ion battery, storage capacity has reached 2 amps/hour. In contrast, the iPhone 6 battery capacity is only 1.8 amp/hour.

SolidEnergy plan in early 2017 the battery used in smartphones and wearable device, and in 2018 into the electric vehicles. The first application, however, at present the battery will be unmanned aerial vehicle (uav), the product will be launched in November this year. Hu pointed out that at present has some customers want to through the drones and the balloon for developing countries to provide free Internet, or used to carry out exploration relief work, etc. This is a really looking forward to and noble.

At the same time, this new type of lithium battery loaded into the electric vehicle, will also be huge influence on the electric vehicle industry. Current electric vehicles every charge, must be at least can travel 200 miles, is in line with market expectations. And SolidEnergy new research and development of lithium battery, will be able to let the electric distance easily extended to 400 miles.