Solid state nanostructured batteries could double lithium ion battery range but peroxide could boost by 7 times

An experimental lithium-ion battery based on materials developed at a U.S. Department of Energy lab stores twice as much energy as the batteries used in most electric cars.

Seeo has DryLyte batteries which is entirely solid-state, containing no liquid or gel components in the polymer electrolyte. It is a transformational solid-state battery technology based on a nanostructured solid polymer electrolyte. However, their current energy density is not better than what is in the Tesla Model S.

A group led by Noritaka Mizuno, professor at the School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo has a new battery which uses the oxidation-reduction reaction between oxide ions and peroxide ions at the positive electrode. The group proved that peroxides are generated and dispersed due to charge and discharge reactions by using a material made by adding cobalt (Co) to the crystal structure of lithium oxide (Li2O) for the positive electrode, verifying a battery system based on a new principle.

The new technology can realize an energy density seven times higher than that of existing lithium (Li)-ion rechargeable batteries, increase capacity, lower price and enhance safety. It is expected to be used for batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and next-generation stationary batteries. The peroxide battery has a theoretical capacity of 897mAh per 1g of the positive/negative electrode active material, voltage of 2.87V and theoretical energy density of 2,570Wh/kg.

At that time, the energy density is 370Wh per 1kg of the positive/negative electrode active material, which is about seven times higher than that of existing Li-ion rechargeable batteries using LiCoO2 positive electrodes and graphite negative electrodes.

Tesla Model S batteries

The specific energy density measured in Wh per kg of the model S is 160 Wh / kg on the pack level (over 245 on the cell level )
– typical ICE is in the low 200 Wh / kg
– e.g. i3 REX extender is only 140 Wh / kg

$ per kWh ( that determines how “cheap” the car can be )
– Model S is $320 per kWh retail price
– i3 REX is $150 per kWh retail price

In order to make the Tesla Model3 work two things have to happen
(1) energy density increase by at least 30%… then energy density would be about 210 Wh / kg at the pack level
(2) the retail cost per kWh needs to be $160 per kWh or less