Quasi-Solid-State of Mind: Crucial Battery Tech
- Buck City Biker
- Mar 3
- 3 min read
If you're a tech enthusiast, few topics are as intricate as battery technology, with its unique blend of physics and electronics meeting at the electrochemical reaction within the battery's core. In this article I get ever-so-slightly techy, but hold tight because it's a quick ride.
Increased energy density and safety continue to remain a key target in the sector To this end, a collaboration between Japan’s Doshisha University and TDK Corporation has led to a quasi-solid-state lithium-ion battery (LIB) that could significantly impact the electric vehicle (EV) industry—we hope.
Traditional lithium-ion batteries are widely used but they present challenges such as fire risks and performance limitations, especially when striving for higher energy densities. In contrast, solid-state batteries offer improved safety and energy density but face issues like lithium-ion transfer inefficiencies and interface instability. It all gets a bit complicated, but suffice it to say, both of these technologies have their own individual pros and cons.
A Match Made in Heaven
The quasi-solid-state battery integrates both liquid and solid electrolytes, aiming to balance the advantages of traditional and solid-state LIBs. They incorporate “elastic, non-flammable, and highly conductive joints,” which address many issues associated with solid-state batteries. These batteries also use pure lithium metal as an anode material, which has a significantly higher capacity than graphite. The result is a stable battery capable of operating at temperatures up to 150°C (302°F) with minimal heat generation.
The Lithium Barrier
Battery tech moves quickly, but even including expected advancements over the next 5-10 years, lithium-ions will most likely remain a dominant force. This doesn't just mean the usual lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries that are used in cell phones, laptops, tablets, digital cameras, and many other devices. Lithium ions come in various other guises including lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), lithium manganese oxide (LMO) and lithium sulphate (LiSO) among a list of others. All this just to say, lithium is utilised throughout the entire battery industry, and most battery innovations still depend on it, which means Lithium is here to stay, for now at least.
What Does this Mean for E-Moto?
For electric motorcycles, where weight, energy density, and safety are of highest importance, the quasi-solid-state battery presents a transformative approach that could revolutionise the industry.
By utilising a quasi-solid-state configuration, manufacturers can achieve a higher energy density, which means that two wheeled EVs could travel further on a single charge, or, travel the same distance with less weight, making them more practical for all-day use and recreational activities. Furthermore, the quasi-solid-state design enhances the structural integrity of the battery, reducing the likelihood of failures and increasing the overall lifespan. This positions electric motorcycles to compete more aggressively with their gasoline-powered counterparts.
Is this the game-changer we’ve been waiting for? Only time will tell, but as the demand for sustainable and high-performance e-motorcycles continues to grow, the adoption of quasi-solid-state batteries could be a pivotal moment for the market, potentially paving the way for a new era of innovation and efficiency.
Fingers crossed that this technology finds its way into mainstream applications sooner rather than later. And of course, we'll be here to tell you about it.
Ride safe, folks.
Information was correct at the time of writing this newsletter
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