Solid-state batteries will be the next generation of energy storage

Introduction: Don’t ask “what will the battery look like in the future”, it is running wild in the laboratory to the production line! Solid-state batteries, this piece of technology titled “next-generation revolution,” the high ground, the performance of the traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries, semi-solid state has been killed in the industrialization of the track, the full-solid state is accelerating the breakthroughs, the dawn of mass production in 2027. More critically, its birth directly drove the battery manufacturing equipment reshuffle – before the mid-channel process drastic changes, dry electrode technology on the C position. This wave will not only reshape electric vehicles and energy storage, but also ignite the engine of future industries such as eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles) and humanoid robots. Technologists, keep an eye on the movement of the head players (Ningde Times, Naknor, Xia Tungsten Xinneng, etc.), the opportunity is hidden in the equipment innovation and material breakthroughs!

I.solid-state batteries: performance crushing liquid, application scenarios upgraded

(i) safety, high energy, long life: solid-state “Iron Throne” by what to sit steady?

Solid-state batteries, the core black technology is a solid electrolyte completely replaced the traditional lithium electrolyte in the liquid electrolyte and diaphragm. Ion conduction? Relying on the solid state material in the solid-solid interface to play migration. The essence of the working principle has not changed (lithium ions shuttle between positive and negative electrodes), but the media revolution has brought a qualitative leap in performance:

Safety seal: solid electrolyte is not flammable! 800 ℃ high temperature is stable as a mountain, no fire and no explosion. Liquid electrolyte? Flammable and easy to lose control of the “powder keg”!

Energy density hanging: the current easy to stand on 400-500Wh/kg, the traditional liquid lithium (200-300Wh/kg) has touched the physical ceiling, shivering.

Long life standby: cycle times easily exceeded 5000 times, liquid lithium batteries generally in 2000-3000 times on the tired.

Low temperature is not a wimp: -30 ℃ environment, capacity retention rate of > 80%, liquid lithium electrode frozen only half of the power left (about 50%).

Fast charging demon: Ningde Times technology has realized 15 minutes to 80%, the liquid lithium mainstream 30-40 minutes fast charging a few blocks away.

Technology Roadmap: Semi-solid Charge, Full Solid State Attack 

Graded by electrolyte liquid content: liquid (>25wt%), semi-solid (5-10wt%), quasi-solid (0-5wt%), and full solid state (0wt%). The latter three are collectively referred to as solid-state batteries.

Semi-solid state: has been rushed into the critical period of industrialization! The concept began in the 70’s, in 2011 the American Empire lit up the skill tree, 2017-2022 high-speed rampage, 2023 to open the commercialization of landing.

All-solid-state: still in the R & D attack on the high ground, but the dawn of mass production is in sight. 19th century mid-materials foundation, 1992 Oak Ridge Laboratory inorganic electrolyte breakthroughs is a key turning point. Global manufacturers have shown the mass production schedule, set up pilot production line, technology is accelerating from PPT to GWh.

(ii) Positive and negative electrode materials: charging to the performance limit

Positive electrode: high energy density is the only truth! Battery energy density ceiling looks at positive electrode. Solid electrolyte chemical window is wide (>5V), crushing liquid electrolyte (about 4.3V), which clears the obstacles for high voltage and high energy density anode such as high-nickel ternary, lithium cobaltate and lithium manganese-rich base. Semi-solid state is used for existing ternary first, and all-solid state is the ultimate stage for high-energy anode.

Negative electrode: from graphite, silicon-based to ultimate BOSS lithium metal!

Graphite negative electrode: mature and stable, but the capacity (372mAh/g) has reached the top, not enough.

Silicon-based negative electrode: theoretical capacity crushing graphite, is the way to improve energy density! Pain point? Charge and discharge volume expansion is too fierce. Now the mainstream and graphite “team” (blending) use.

Lithium metal anode: the “holy grail” of anode industry! Ultra-high specific capacity (3860mAh/g) + ultra-low potential (-3.04V vs SHE). Roadblocks? Lithium dendrite growth, interfacial side reactions, volume expansion – directly leading to efficiency plummeting and life expectancy shrinking. Fix it, and all-solid-state batteries are truly on top.

(iii) Application scenarios: from substitution to pioneering, unlocking future industries

Solid state battery is not a simple upgrade, but a scenario upgrading! It is not only a tool to solve the anxiety of range of new energy vehicles, the demand for long life of energy storage, and the thinning of consumer electronics, but also a key to unlock the future industry:

Traditional field: 

New energy vehicles: 1000km+ range is no longer a dream, and safety pain points are solved together.

Consumer electronics: thinner, lighter and more durable cell phones and laptops.

Future: 

eVTOL (flying car): 400Wh/kg+ battery energy density is required! Only semi-solid/full solid state can meet the “endurance in the air”. Safe? Fire in the air is no joke!

Humanoid robots: perfect fit! The non-flammable, non-corrosive, and non-volatile properties make it safer and more reliable for robots to work indoors. It is a real “running” energy heart.

(iv) Three major electrolyte systems: who is the master?

The three main schools of solid-state electrolytes: polymers, oxides and sulfides, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:

Polymer electrolytes: 

Advantages: good flexibility, easy to process into film, good mechanical properties and interfacial compatibility.

Pain points: room temperature ionic conductivity crotch, high temperature stability is poor, narrow electrochemical window. High performance battery? Hard to carry the banner.

Oxide electrolytes: 

Advantages: High mechanical strength, good physical and chemical stability, good pressure resistance, high ionic conductivity at high temperature. Cost advantage in crystalline state.

Pain points: poor interface contact, complicated process, high cost, stumbling block to commercialization.

Sulfide Electrolytes (Current Focus!) : 

Advantages: Lithium ion conductivity ceilings (approaching or even surpassing liquid!) High mechanical strength, good compatibility with sulfur cathode, flexible structure design. Huge energy density potential (350-500Wh/kg).

Pain points: fear of water and oxygen (perverted production environment requirements), potential flammability, high manufacturing complexity and cost.

Consensus on technology route: Global giants (Ningde Times, Toyota, Samsung SDI, etc.) are betting heavily on sulfide all-solid-state! Ultra-high ionic conductivity and excellent interfacial contact performance is the key to stand out. 2025 will be the window period for the technology route duel.

(v) Policy wind: China’s standard leads the world

The national level is strongly promoting the development of solid-state batteries, with clear policy guidance:

June 2022 (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology): “Science and technology to support the implementation of carbon peak carbon neutral program” for the first time clear solid-state batteries for efficient energy storage technology direction.

January 2023 (Six Departments): “Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Development of Energy Electronics Industry” requires research on solid-state battery standard system.

December 2023 (MIIT): “Implementation Opinions on Strengthening the Integration and Interaction between New Energy Vehicles and the Power Grid” promotes the cycle life of power batteries to 3,000 times and above (solid state easily reaches the standard).

June 2024 (MIIT): “Lithium Battery Industry Standard Conditions” regulates the performance requirements of solid-state monomer batteries.

April 2025 (MIIT, etc.): “Key points of automotive standardization work in 2025” to promote the development of solid-state battery standard subsystem.

The latest (national standard): “all-solid-state battery judgment and test methods” for the first time clearly defined “all-solid-state battery”, the end of the concept of chaos, industry standardization accelerated!

(vi) Global Race: 2027 Mass Production Sprint

Overseas giants: Japan and South Korea (focusing on sulfide), Europe and the United States (route diversification) layout early, large investment, is expected to mass produce all-solid state after 2026.

Chinese power: focus on high-nickel ternary + silicon carbon anode + sulfide route (part of multi-route layout). Main players: Ningde Times, BYD, LiWei Lithium Energy, China Innovation Aviation, Guoxuan Gaoke, Qingtao Energy, Weilan New Energy, Vonergy Technology, etc. Mass production timetable targeting 2027 and beyond. This is a race that cannot be lost!

II. the process revolution: equipment ushered in the storm of upgrading

Solid-state battery is not only a material revolution, but also a reconstruction of the manufacturing process, before the middle of the road equipment is the main battlefield!

(i) the production process has changed: from wet to dry, from liquid injection to pressing

Traditional liquid lithium battery process: the front (wet coating slurry → coating → drying → roll pressure), in the middle (winding / stacking → liquid injection → sealing), the back (chemical composition detection).

Solid State Battery Process Reversal: 

Front Channel: Wet (compatible with existing) or Dry (future mainstream! (low cost, low energy consumption, high performance). Dry core: dry mixing materials → dry coating/roll forming film. Electrolyte membrane independent preparation (dry/wet method). Sulfide battery? Dry method is just needed (afraid of water and oxygen)!

Middle Channel: Eliminate diaphragm, liquid injection! Add adhesive frame printing (insulation support), isostatic pressing (core! (Improve densification and interface contact). Stacking process into the mainstream (inorganic electrolyte toughness, winding difficult to get). Note: Semi-solid still requires diaphragm and small amount of liquid injection.

Back-end: liquid injection eliminated, but formation pressure soars (60-80 tons vs. 3-10 tons for conventional)! Some require pre-lithiation. Exponential increase in production environment sealing requirements.

(ii) Front-end equipment: Dry electrode & electrolyte film formation battlefield.

Dry Electrode Equipment (the disruptor on the scene): Dries out solvents! Shorter process, lower energy consumption, lower cost (AM Batteries data: 40% lower CAPEX, 20% lower OPEX, 40% lower energy consumption/carbon emissions). It is effective in solving the pain point of silicon-based anode expansion. Mainstream technology: Spraying vs Rolling. The savior of sulfide batteries!

Coating Equipment (New Requirement): Uniformly coat solid electrolytes onto electrodes. Dry coating machine is the core of solvent-free process. Pilot Intelligence, WinHope Technology, etc. have already launched targeted solutions.

Rolling equipment (dry core process): dry electrode bonding is weak, requiring greater pressure and ultra-high precision control of film thickness uniformity. Performance indicators are key to mass production: compaction density > 1.6g/cm³ for negative electrode, > 3.5g/cm³ for ternary positive electrode, > 2.5g/cm³ for lithium iron positive electrode; production efficiency targets (negative electrode > 80m/min, positive electrode > 50m/min, width > 1000mm).

(iii) Mid-path equipment: precision, pressing, new process triple hit

Laminator (all solid state standard): replaces the winder! The “lack of flexibility” of inorganic electrolytes can only be solved by precise stacking (lamination). Pain point: Pressure control has to be extremely precise (anti-cracking) and alignment precision has to be freakishly high (anti-short-circuit). Toyota, QuantumScape and other giants route has been verified.

Adhesive Frames Printing Equipment (New Player): Patented technology by Liyuanheng and others. Printing of insulating support frames before pole piece stacking, solving the problem of solid-state battery pole piece lamination accuracy, significantly reducing the risk of internal short circuit, and guaranteeing the yield of electric cell.

Isostatic pressure equipment (densification magic weapon!) Solve the two major lifelines of solid-state batteries – high porosity (<5%) and poor solid-solid interface contact! By uniformly applying ultra-high pressure through liquid/gas media, internal voids are eliminated, and interfacial contact and electrical conductivity are improved. Classification: 

Cold Isostatic Pressure (CIP): room temperature, liquid medium, high pressure (100-630MPa), relatively low cost, is the current mainstream direction.

Warm Isostatic Pressure (WIP): medium temperature (<500°C), pressure ~ 300MPa, difficult to control.

Hot Isostatic Pressure (HIP): high temperature (1000-2200°C) + high pressure (100-200MPa), extreme performance but high cost.

(iv) Back-end equipment: high-pressure formation is just what is needed 

Traditional low-pressure formation out! Solid-state battery solid-solid interface characteristics require high-pressure formation (60-80 tons of pressure) to:

Strongly eliminate the interface microscopic voids, increase the contact area.

“Activate ion channels, forcing lithium ions to penetrate the interfacial barrier, reducing interfacial impedance.

High-pressure chemical compositors have become the standard.

III.downstream detonation: eVTOL + humanoid robot battery new world

(i) eVTOL: 2025 commercialization year, solid-state battery is the key to “fly” 

2025, low-altitude infrastructure accelerated, eVTOL commercial operation set sail! Battery is the lifeblood:

Hard performance index: to support urban air transportation, battery pack energy density needs to be >330Wh/kg. solid-state batteries easily exceed 350Wh/kg+.

Safety is the bottom line: thermal runaway in the air = disaster! The intrinsic safety of solid-state batteries is an urgent need for eVTOL.

Industry dynamics are hot: 

billion Airline shares in Xinjie Energy: EH216-S equipped with its 480Wh/kg solid-state batteries, range increased by 60-90%, targeting the end of 2025 mass production and installation.

Peak Flyer Aviation has been invested by Ningde Times: joint research and development of eVTOL specialized high-energy batteries.

The eve of market outbreak: it is expected that China’s low altitude economy market size of 1.5 trillion yuan in 2025, aviation power battery accounted for 15% -20%. Solid state battery is the largest increment!

(ii) humanoid robot: solid-state batteries to unlock the “all-weather work” skills

Traditional lithium batteries to humanoid robot trapped: short range (4-5 hours), safety risks (thermal runaway), bulky. Solid-state batteries are the breakthrough:

Energy density crushing: 2-3 times the theoretical value of liquid lithium! Such as the 720Wh/kg all-solid-state lithium metal battery released by Tai Blue New Energy in 2024. This means a “super energy pack” with a significantly longer range.

Safety: Non-flammable, non-leakage, no fear of impact, indoor and outdoor work in complex environments more at ease.

Benchmark Case: The GoMate humanoid robot is equipped with a self-developed all-solid-state battery, which realizes a 6-hour battery life and reduces energy consumption by more than 80%.

Huge market potential: it is expected that the global demand for solid-state batteries for humanoid robots will be more than 20GWh in 2030, and high-rate solid-state batteries such as XINWODA are already in the process of verification.

Summarize: solid state battery – a triple revolution to reshape the energy landscape

This is not an incremental improvement, it is a paradigm shift in energy storage!

Performance revolution: safety, energy density, life expectancy, environmental adaptability of the liquid lithium batteries, pierce the ceiling.

Process revolution: dry electrode, isostatic pressure, high-pressure synthesis and other driving manufacturing equipment to upgrade, giving rise to new opportunities.

Application revolution: not only upgrading automobile, energy storage and consumer electronics, but also triggering eVTOL low altitude economy, unlocking the potential of humanoid robots, and defining the shape of the future industry.

Technology Vane: 

Keep an eye on the breakthrough of sulfide all-solid state mass production by leading battery manufacturers (Ningde Times, etc.).

Focus on equipment manufacturers (pilot, win-win, Nakonor, etc.) in the dry film, high-precision stacking, isostatic pressure field process landing.

Look forward to material companies (Xia Tungsten Xinneng, etc.) in the high-energy anode, lithium metal anode, solid-state electrolyte (especially sulfide) on the performance optimization.

Solid-state batteries are rushing furiously from the laboratory to the starry sea of industrialization. This energy revolution driven by performance breakthroughs, process innovation and scenario upgrading, and the trillion-dollar market reconstruction and new demand outbreaks it brings, deserves every engineer and technology decision-maker who is deeply engaged in the field of lithium batteries to go all out. The future is here, are you ready?