Quantum leap in battery technology

25 October 2023 Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management

The Bonn-based company High Performance Battery (HPB) has achieved a decisive breakthrough in battery and storage technology: a team led by Prof. Dr. Günther Hambitzer has developed the world’s first solid-state battery with outstanding properties to production readiness. The applications range from stationary storage for home and industrial use to charging infrastructures and the mobility segment.

“We are not only opening a new chapter in battery technology,” explains Sebastian Heinz, CEO of HPB, “but are also making a decisive contribution to the energy transition and climate protection worldwide.”

The data and properties measured so far show significantly better values and characteristics compared to the currently dominant lithium-ion batteries:

Longevity

While conventional lithium-ion batteries degrade after between 500 and 2500 charging cycles, the HPB solid-state battery currently has more than 12 500 charging cycles, with a comparable load. Since these cells have not yet reached the end of their life, this number will continue to increase steadily.

Safety

The new HPB solid-state electrolyte is non-flammable, and thus considerably safer than the flammable liquid electrolytes of conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Sustainability

The HPB solid-state battery shows a 50% better environmental balance compared to current lithium-ion technology. This makes it the ‘green key to the energy and mobility revolution’.

Conductivity

Compared to the liquid electrolytes commonly used today, the HPB solid-state electrolyte has an enormously improved conductivity. This is decisive for the available power from the battery cell. The HPB solid-state electrolyte shows a higher conductivity at -40°C than conventional liquid electrolytes at their optimum at 60°C. These properties have been confirmed by independent partners and research institutes in the temperature range from -40°C to 60°C. In this way, the HPB solid-state electrolyte ensures that sufficient power is available even at extreme temperatures. This eliminates the need to preheat the batteries in winter.

Further reading:

Active event tracking using a novel new technique
Editor's Choice
SPAES (single photon active event sensor) 3D sensing, developed by VoxelSensors, is a breakthrough technology that solves current critical depth sensing performance limitations for robotics applications.

Read more...

---

ABB commits to a more inclusive future as it empowers women and youth in engineering
ABB South Africa Editor's Choice
Through structured development, inclusive hiring, and focused empowerment, ABB Electrification is shaping a more equitable and dynamic future for the engineering industry.

Read more...

---

Unlocking the next frontier – women leading digital transformation in South Africa’s technology sector
Editor's Choice
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, it is an ideal time to reflect on the critical role women are playing in shaping the country’s technology sector.

Read more...

---

Why GNSS positioning precision is enabling the next wave of IoT applications
iCorp Technologies Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
While high-performance GNSS implementations are achievable with few limitations, most real-world applications must balance power consumption, form factor and accuracy requirements.

Read more...

---

5G RedCap: Unlocking scalable IoT connectivity
iCorp Technologies Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
As 2G and 3G networks rapidly sunset across the globe, the Internet of Things (IoT) market faces a critical challenge: how to maintain reliable cellular connectivity without the complexity or cost of full 5G.

Read more...

---

Is RFoIP technology the future for signal transportation for Satcom applications?
Accutronics Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
RFoF technology continues to be used for successful IF signal transportation in the ground segment and there is widespread belief that it will be for some time to come, especially for critical communications applications.

Read more...

---

Celebrating innovation, leadership, and the next generation
Rebound Electronics Editor's Choice
In electronics and engineering, women are not just participating; they are transforming, innovating, and shaping the future.

Read more...

---

Women leading the charge in SA’s energy sector
Editor's Choice
While historically male-dominated, the energy industry is slowly but surely opening its doors to more diverse voices and talents.

Read more...

---

High performance SDR design considerations
RFiber Solutions Editor's Choice DSP, Micros & Memory
As the spectrum gets increasingly crowded, and adversaries more capable, the task of examining wide bands and making sense of it all, while not missing anything, gets harder.

Read more...

---

Microtronix revives defunct cell phone plant
Microtronix Manufacturing Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
In a significant move for South Africa’s struggling electronics manufacturing sector, local technology firm Microtronix has breathed new life into a formerly defunct cell phone manufacturing facility.

Read more...

---