The Japanese industrial company Hitachi Zosen has developed a 1000mAh solid-state battery. That is one of the highest capacities developed with the technology to date. The company wants to use its battery in heavy industry and aerospace.
According to Nikkei Asia, the battery technology used would contain no solvents and contain fewer impurities, making it more efficient and safer with the stored energy. In addition, the battery is said to withstand temperatures ranging from -40 to 100°C, giving the company a wide range of deployment options. By 2025, the company aims to double production capacity and select an external partner to enter the commercial market.
Thanks to the practical advantages, Hitachi Zosen wants to investigate whether the solid-state batteries can be used in heavy industry and aerospace. To test the latter, the company concluded an agreement with the Japanese space agency JAXA, which will subject the batteries to research in space for six months this autumn.
JAXA will test a prototype solid-state battery with a capacity of 140 mAh that measures 65x52x2.7mm and weighs 25 grams. The battery will be connected to fifteen other cells via a parallel circuit. Together, these cells will hold approximately 2.1Ah of current capacity.
Solid-state batteries are considered one of the battery technologies with a promising future. The absence of the flammable liquid electrolyte makes solid-state batteries safer to use and innovative high-voltage materials improve energy efficiency and reduce self-discharge. However, there are still many challenges ahead, including expanding storage capacity.
Update, 23:25: Added details and information about the prototype that the Japanese space agency JAXA will test later this year. Thanks to mrdmc.