Evaluation of All-Solid-State Battery Material and Foundational Technology Development for the Next Generation

Due to the widespread use of electric vehicles for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the rapid expansion of the battery market is expected. In order to take initiative in this field, it is extremely important for Japan to achieve early realization and market entry of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) whose performances surpass that of current liquid-type LIBs. For this goal, it is required to promote a new materials development accompanied by the material evaluation linked to cell performances. Therefore, this project focuses on strengthening the research and development platforms for the material evaluation of all-solid-state LIBs. Specifically, this project deals with the following subjects.

• (1) Development of materials evaluation platforms.
• (2) Elucidation of fundamental phenomena and mechanisms specific to all-solid-state LIBs.
• (3) Development of electrode and cell technologies for all-solid-state LIBs.

Schematic image of research and development subjects explained in the text above.
Schematic image of research and development subjects

(1) Development of Materials Evaluation platforms

This project establishes the material evaluation platform for next-generation all-solid-state LIBs. The platform includes various evaluation methods for battery materials and basic battery models for materials evaluation as a benchmark. These evaluation technologies accelerate the development of new materials and are expected to shorten the lead time from material development to market entry.

(2) Elucidation of Fundamental Phenomena and Mechanisms Specific to All-Solid-State LIBs

This project solves essential phenomena and fundamental mechanisms specific to all-solid-state LIBs. Clarifying basic aspects such as solid-solid interface, particle contact, and degradation mechanism is inevitable for new material creations. With these scientific insights, this project contributes to superior concepts for materials, electrodes, and cells.

(3) Development of Electrode and Cell Technologies for All-Solid-State LIBs

This project proposes next-generation materials and develops the basic technologies of electrodes and cells. These activities target to improve the all-solid-state LIBs performance by extracting the maximum potential of materials and solving the specific problems about solid interfaces. The developed technologies will also be applied to the development of basic battery models.