Roll-2-Roll (R2R) Manufacture Of Multilayer Solid-state Batteries

Li-ion batteries are used in electric vehicles, powering consumer electronics and to increase storage capacity for the electrical grid, among other applications. However, when these batteries malfunction, failure can result in explosions, toxic gas release, and fire. In contrast, the emerging solid-state battery technologies are inherently safer and can store more energy. Such benefits would mean electrical vehicles with longer driving range, more compact medical electronics for use inside the body and longer life consumer electronics. Despite obvious advantages, manufacture of these batteries is currently slow and expensive, using several time-consuming steps. This project researchers a novel approach for scalable solid-state glass battery manufacture. It shall draw ultra-thin molten glass sheets from a furnace. This material will be nearly ten-times thinner than a human hair, scalable in width up to several meters and continuously drawn in length. As the molten glass is drawn, materials will be added to form a battery in a continuous manufacturing approach. This will lead to higher volumes, lower cost and scalable glass battery production.