SOLiTHOR Breaks New Ground with Advancements in All-Solid-State Lithium Battery Technology

By DaMarko Webster

SOLiTHOR, a groundbreaking company in the field of solid-state lithium battery technology, has achieved significant milestones in advancing its next-generation battery solutions. Unlike competitors that often claim to offer solid-state batteries but deliver semi-solid variants, SOLiTHOR stands out by developing an entirely solid-state lithium battery with no liquid electrolyte, enabling the use of a lithium metal anode.

Setting itself apart from the competition, SOLiTHOR’s prototypes are unequivocally All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries. The company’s technology brings compelling value propositions in terms of performance, energy density-to-weight ratio, safety, and manufacturability, catering to specific market needs.

SOLiTHOR’s primary focus is on Aviation, Urban Air Mobility, and Aerospace, where it provides a unique rechargeable all-solid-state lithium battery cell technology. This innovation represents a significant leap forward compared to traditional Li-ion and other solid-state battery technologies.

Overcoming one of the key challenges faced by Solid-State Battery developers, SOLiTHOR has achieved a breakthrough in reducing the thickness of the solid electrolyte component by a factor of 18 within less than eighteen months. This accomplishment results in a solid electrolyte separator thickness of 35µm (+/-5µm), a critical advancement for enhancing energy density, achieving extended range, reducing weight, and ensuring the production of intrinsically safe, thermally stable cells that meet stringent safety requirements in the aviation industry.

Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO of SOLiTHOR, emphasizes the company’s role as a cornerstone in establishing a world-class center of excellence in Europe for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of cell technology and battery systems, particularly for the full electrification of aircraft.

Having moved to a state-of-the-art facility in Sint Truiden, Belgium, in August, SOLiTHOR is equipped with a 400-square-meter dry room and new pouch cell production equipment for developing demonstrator cells. At the stack level, SOLiTHOR has achieved approximately 700Wh/L, with a short-term target of exceeding 800Wh/L. The company has also attained 245Wh/kg, with a Generation 1 short-term target of 327 Wh/kg.

SOLiTHOR’s newly established International Test Centre on-site is now available for use by clients and partners. The company has already pioneered new testing mechanisms to comply with Aviation Flight certification programs. Thermo-mechanical properties testing indicates that SOLiTHOR’s solid-state electrolyte component can withstand temperatures as high as 120°C without shrinkage, providing a crucial advantage in ensuring cell separation under varying conditions to prevent short circuits.

Looking ahead, SOLiTHOR plans to leverage its technological advantages to enter the Maritime market, developing rechargeable all-solid-state lithium battery technology for subsequent rollouts in two other key electromobility markets—Medium & Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Passenger Cars.