Natrion Demonstrates Solid-State Feasibility with Lithium EV Battery Cells

New York-based Natrion, which delves in solid-state electric vehicle battery technology, has revealed data on the performance of its patented compounds in lithium-metal anode pouch cells. Natrion said that the results showed a dramatic milestone in commercial solid-state Li-metal battery feasibility by demonstrating high C-rate capability and cycle life without the use of stack pressure.

This data adds to the body of research around the viability of solid-state batteries (SSBs) for use in electric vehicles (EVs).

The Technological Breakthrough

Natrion had previously published data showing its proprietary material, LISIC278, delivering superior performance in standard pouch cells using graphite anodes. In this further round of testing, Natrion created new coin cells and pouch cells using a LISIC278 solid-state electrolyte separator and a lithium-metal anode composed of 5-micrometer-thick lithium-coated copper foil.

They also added their newest product, a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)-forming wetting agent called M3 that stabilizes the Li-metal, suppresses dendrites, and facilitates cycling at high coulombic efficiency without the need for external stack pressure on the cell.

These tests showed the fire risk is net zero. There is 50% greater energy density. It has high cycle life and C-rate capability as test found 320 cycles demonstrated at 2C (30 min charge time) and 100% depth-of-discharge with 98% retention. The potential range on a single charge in an EV is 420 to 450 miles.

Natrion said that its data may be the first and only known instance of a high cycle life and high C-rate with zero additional stack pressure.

Natrion said that having achieved these outcomes without requiring stack pressure on the cell is groundbreaking. Applying stack pressure requires the integration of an external device, so any energy density gained from cell chemistry is practically erased. Applying pressure to an individual battery cell may be possible in testing, but is highly difficult to engineer into a battery pack. Natrion mentioned that its solution is the first commercial example of a viable solution for EV applications.

Alex Kosyakov, Natrion CEO, said, "The benefit of LISIC over other electrolyte solutions is that we can still use roll-to-roll high-throughput manufacturing processes and established cell construction techniques. This, combined with a lack of need for stack pressure to accomplish high performance, makes us believe that we have a real opportunity to be the ones to finally deliver Li-metal cell technology to mass market EVs."