Batteries

Imec has been researching and developing technologies for solid-state batteries for over 10 years. These are batteries that use solid electrolytes instead of the liquid or gel electrolytes found in traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Advantages are:

• improved safety
• higher energy density
• reduced degradation
• potential for faster charging
   

Solid-state batteries can be used in various applications, including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, medical devices, and renewable energy storage.

2024 press release: lithium-metal battery with novel solid electrolyte achieves 1070 Wh/L through cost-effective manufacturing process

In 2022, imec, as a partner in the top European energy R&D innovation hub Energyville, founded the spinoff SOLiTHOR. The company focuses on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative solid-state lithium battery cell technology based on the imec-patented nano-solid composite electrolyte and the nano-anode. The goal is to enable true electrification of the transport industry.

2022 press release: 100-fold current density enhancement puts imec’s nanomesh electrodes in pole position for high-throughput electrochemical applications

New materials and battery cell types

Imec further investigates next-gen batteries by developing new concepts and electrolyte/electrode materials. The aim is to increase the energy and power density.

These are the topics that imec is working on:

• small-capacity formable batteries for microsystems or implants where space is dear
• large-area formable batteries or structural batteries where the batteries are laminated onto a large area and can even take up a structural role
• technologies for large-capacity fast-charging batteries, e.g. how to improve the cyclability, engineer the interfaces between the various battery materials, LiM anode research, conversion material, etc.
• thin-film sensors for batteries for process finetuning or improved battery management systems, allowing in situ and in-cell measurements 

Want to get involved in our research? Click the button below to get in touch.