TDK makes breakthrough in solid-state battery technology

• Not only does it offer an exceptionally high energy density of 1,000 Wh/L, but it also promises superior safety characteristics, making it an ideal choice for various wearable devices such as wireless earphones, hearing aids, and even smartwatches.
• The design offers a longer lifespan and faster charging capabilities, addressing the pain points that have long plagued the industry.

Japanese electronics manufacturer TDK, known for its battery supply to industry giants like Apple and Tesla, has now announced a groundbreaking achievement that could revolutionise the landscape of energy storage.

TDK has successfully developed a material for its next-generation solid-state battery, boasting an energy density that is a staggering 100 times greater than that of conventional solid-state batteries.

The remarkable advancement is made possible through the use of a lithium alloy anode and an oxide-based solid electrolyte, in contrast to the liquid electrolyte found in traditional lithium-ion batteries.

The advantages of TDK’s new solid-state battery technology are multifaceted. Not only does it offer an exceptionally high energy density of 1,000 Wh/L, but it also promises superior safety characteristics, making it an ideal choice for various wearable devices such as wireless earphones, hearing aids, and even smartwatches.

Furthermore, the solid-state design offers a longer lifespan and faster charging capabilities, addressing the pain points that have long plagued the industry.

A significant contribution

TDK’s chief executive, Noboru Saito, has expressed his confidence in the potential of this technology, stating, “We believe that our newly developed material for solid-state batteries can make a significant contribution to the energy transformation of society.”

This sentiment is echoed by the broader industry, as numerous automakers, including Volkswagen, Toyota, and BMW, have been heavily investing in the development of solid-state batteries, widely regarded as the “holy grail” of electric vehicles.

While the path to mass commercialisation may not be without its challenges, such as material shortages, high production costs, and technical barriers, the industry is poised for a paradigm shift.

TDK’s ambitious plans to start shipping samples of its new battery prototype to clients as early as next year and to move into mass production thereafter demonstrate the company’s commitment to driving this transformative technology forward.