Development of Solid State Lithium Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Led by Professor Minhua SHAO, the project on the "Development of Solid State Lithium Batteries for Electric Vehicles" has received the Research Impact Fund (RIF) 2023/24 of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) with a total amount of HKD6.9M. 

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are gaining attention because they are safer and have higher energy densities than traditional Li-ion batteries, making them ideal for electric vehicles. However, developing SSBs is challenging due to the need for reliable solid electrolytes, high-energy cathodes, and stable Li metal anodes. This project aims to create high-performance SSBs using solid-polymer-electrolyte (SPE) technology. The plan includes designing a thin, flexible hybrid SPE with a strong polyethylene framework filled with ionic conductors to boost conductivity. A fluoride-enriched protective layer will form on the Li anode to prevent dendrite formation. Additionally, a high-energy cathode will be developed to work with the advanced electrolyte. By combining these components, Prof. Shao and his team strive to achieve SSBs with energy densities over 400 Wh/kg. The project's success will drive the development of next-generation SSBs and promote the widespread use of electric vehicles.