Battery & Electrification Technology - November/December 2024 - 19

while maintaining safety and stability.
Solid-state electrolytes generally have
lower ionic conductivity compared to
traditional liquid electrolytes, which limits
their performance in practical applications.
Achieving a balance between high
energy density, fast ion transport, and longterm
Ignition
Ignition
Ignition
Ignition
Ignition
cycle
stability,
especially
under
high-temperature
conditions, required significant
innovation in materials and design.
Propylene carbonate
B&ET: Can you explain in simple terms
how it works?
Shin: Our battery uses a new all-solidstate
polymer electrolyte instead of the
liquid electrolytes found in most commercial
batteries. Liquid electrolytes can
be flammable and unsafe, especially at
high temperatures. By switching to a solid-state
polymer, which doesn't contain
any organic solvents and has various
functional groups, we greatly reduce the
risk of fire while also improving the battery's
stability and lifespan, even under
high-temperature conditions.
B&ET: What are your next steps? Do you
have plans for further research/work?
Shin: Our next steps involve adding
more advanced features to the battery
system, such as developing self-healing
batteries. This would allow the battery to
repair itself if damaged, further enhancing
its safety and durability. By integrating
self-healing capabilities, we aim to
provide even greater protection and extend
the battery's lifespan, especially in
demanding environments. This continued
research will help push the boundaries
of battery technology for high-temperature
applications.
B&ET: You're quoted in an article saying,
" Apart from applications in high-temperature
scenarios, the microcrack-free
electrolyte membranes also have the
potential to enable fast charging due to
low overpotential. This capability could
allow electric vehicles to recharge in the
time it takes to drink a cup of coffee,
marking a significant advancement toward
a clean energy future. " How far away
from that do you estimate we are?
Shin: It's still a long and challenging
journey because the ionic conductivity of
solid-state batteries
is
currently lower
than that of commercial liquid electrolyte
The flame tests depict that the new electrolyte membrane (above) is not ignited even with
multiple applications of an open flame and resultingly simply turns into coal ash, in contrast
with the highly flammable liquid organic solvent (below). (Image: HKU)
2 sec 10 sec 15 sec 20 sec 25 sec 30 sec 35 sec
ANP-C-2.0k
160
120
80
40
0.5 C, @ 100 °C
60 120 180 240 300 360 420 480
Cycle Number
Cycle performance at 0.5 °C and 100 °C. (Image: HKU)
batteries, which is a key factor in enabling
fast charging. Achieving fast-charging capabilities
with solid-state technology requires
further breakthroughs, and it will take collective
efforts from researchers around the
world. Some companies are already planning
to bring these advancements to production
within the next 5 to 10 years, but
there's still much work to be done.
B&ET: What progress have you made
since the paper was published in the journal
Advanced Science?
Shin: Since the article was published,
we've made some exciting progress.
We're exploring new materials that could
further enhance the battery's efficiency
and safety. While we're still in the research
phase, these developments are
promising and align with our goal of
creating safer, longer-lasting batteries for
high-temperature applications. We're optimistic
about the next steps and look
forward to sharing more updates soon.
B&ET: Do you have any advice for engineers/researchers
aiming to bring their
ideas to fruition, broadly speaking?
Battery & Electrification Technology, November/December 2024
Shin: My advice is to keep trying and stay
persistent. Research is a journey of constant
trial and error. The path to achieving your
final goal is often full of twists and turns,
but it's important to view setbacks as learning
opportunities. Adjusting your approach
along the way is a natural part of the process,
and persistence is key to turning ideas
into reality.
B&ET: Anything else you'd like to add?
Shin: I'd just like to emphasize the
importance of collaboration in pushing
innovation forward. Whether it's in battery
research or any other field, breakthroughs
often come from teamwork and
the exchange of ideas across disciplines.
We're excited about the progress we've
made, but there's still so much more to
explore. We're hopeful that by continuing
to work together, we can make significant
strides toward safer, more efficient energy
solutions for the future.
This article was written by Andrew Corselli,
Digital Content Editor, SAE Media Group. For
more information, visit www.hku.hk/press/
press-releases/detail/27547.html. 
19
100
80
60
40
20
Capacity (mAh g-1
)
Coulombic Effiency (%)

http://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/27547.html

Battery & Electrification Technology - November/December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Battery & Electrification Technology - November/December 2024