The Chinese Academy of Sciences unveils a flexible solid-state lithium battery with high energy density and stable current, using polymer molecules.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences unveils a flexible solid-state lithium battery with high energy density and stable current, using polymer molecules.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), through its Institute of Metal Research, has announced a groundbreaking advancement in solid-state lithium battery technology.
Published in the Advanced Materials academic journal, the research introduces a flexible battery with high energy density and stable current, a potential game-changer for electric vehicles (EVs).
Unlike traditional batteries, this tech uses polymer molecules to enhance performance, though mass production remains a future goal.
Solid-state batteries are hailed as the future of EVs due to their higher capacity and elimination of electrolyte leakage risks. However, poor solid-solid interfaces between electrodes and electrolytes often result in high ion transport resistance, limiting efficiency.
The CAS team addressed this by developing a flexible battery incorporating ethoxy groups, electrochemically active short sulfur chains, and polymer electrolytes. This design is claimed to boost ion transport capacity, achieving an energy density of 86% and enabling seamless switching between ion transport and storage.
The new battery excels in durability, withstanding 20,000 bends without performance loss, thanks to its high flexural resistance. Its structure reduces interfacial impedance, enhancing energy density and stability.
This makes it a promising candidate for future EV applications, though the CAS notes it remains in the research phase, with commercial scalability yet to be achieved.
China’s battery sector is advancing at a solid pace. In September 2025, Farasis Energy began pilot production of solid-state batteries, targeting 400–500 Wh/kg by year-end and 500 Wh/kg by 2026.
Similarly, Chery-backed Anhui Anwa rolled out engineering samples in July 2025. While liquid and semi-solid batteries dominate current EVs, these developments signal a rapid shift towards solid-state technology.
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