Researchers have identified why solid-state batteries often fail. Two independent research teams have uncovered the physical processes responsible for the short circuits that have hindered their commercialization for years. Scientists at Germany's Max Planck Institute discovered that lithium deposits create significant internal pressure, eventually cracking the solid electrolyte. Partially, researchers from MIT and the Technical University of Munich found that small electrical imbalances within the electrolyte contribute to the growth of lithium structures that cause short circuits.
These findings could accelerate the commercialization of solid-state batteries as automakers, including Toyota, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, invest billions of dollars in the development of this technology.
