Kyoto University, Tottori University, and Sumitomo Chemical Jointly Developed High-Capacity Soft Solid-Type Battery Using New Material, Expected to Contribute to Accelerating Commercialization of the Next-Generation Battery

Nov. 7, 2022

Kyoto University

Tottori University

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

Kyoto University, Tottori University, and Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., have successfully developed a new soft material for solid-type batteries that makes it possible to make, without applying pressure, high-capacity solid-type batteries that stably operate. The development of soft solid electrolytes is one of the major challenges toward the commercialization of solid-type batteries, which are attracting attention as the next-generation secondary battery. The collaborators in this development have succeeded through their industry-academia joint research program, working on material development based on an innovative new concept. This achievement will be presented at the 63rd Battery Symposium to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from November 8 to November 10, 2022.

While lithium-ion secondary batteries -- currently the most popular rechargeable batteries -- use liquid electrolytes, solid-type batteries use solid electrolytes and have attracted attention in recent years as they may solve the challenges faced by commercially available secondary batteries in terms of capacity, charge-discharge time, and safety. Because their inorganic sulfides-derived solid electrolytes are hard and inflexible, a major issue remains, however, in improving the interface contact between solid electrolytes and electrodes to ensure good battery operation. Generally, pressure is applied to the battery cell to establish the interface contact necessary for activating the battery, but this requires components to be added for pressurization, leading to increased battery weight and cost. Meanwhile, weak contact could result in poor battery performance.

To overcome this challenge, Kyoto University, Tottori University, and Sumitomo Chemical launched their industry-academia joint research program in 2020. They set out to demonstrate the operation of soft solid-type batteries using flexible solid electrolytes that make it possible to establish interface contact with electrodes without applying pressure. As a result of repeated trial and error, researchers from Kyoto University, Tottori University, and Sumitomo Chemical have successfully developed a solid-type battery with a capacity of approximately 230Wh/kg using a non-pressurized process employing a new material. This achievement is expected to contribute to accelerating the commercialization of solid-type batteries with a high level of safety as the components for pressurization can be eliminated, leading to significant reductions in battery weight and cost.

Solid-type batteries are being developed at an accelerating pace for their high capacity and long life as small-sized batteries for consumer electronic devices, such as smartphones and wearable devices, as well as indispensable medical equipment. Furthermore, they are expected to be applied to a wider range of fields, including the next-generation battery for EVs, which requires high-energy density and high-output characteristics from the viewpoint of cruising range and recharging time.

Looking to the next generation and thinking flexibly, future-oriented Kyoto University strives to lead the world’s energy storage technology development from the basic research level, leveraging ideas true to its 120-year-strong history and traditions. Effectively utilizing industry-academia joint research programs, the university will take on the challenge of delivering world-first research results and bringing about new innovations while developing human resources to lead in materials technology development.

Tottori University aims to promote advanced research to solve global and societal issues under its basic philosophy of "fusion of knowledge and practice." Inheriting the honorable traditions of its predecessors, including Tottori Advanced Agricultural College and Yonago Medical College, the university will continue to engage in education, research, and social contribution, transcending the boundaries of individual disciplines through efforts such as the establishment of the Graduate School of Science for the Creation of a Sustainable Society and collaboration between medicine and engineering.

Sumitomo Chemical has defined the environment, food security, healthcare, and ICT as its four priority areas for next-generation business development in its new Corporate Business Plan launched in FY2022, and is building an innovation ecosystem in collaboration with academia and start-ups. In addition, the Company is working to reorganize and further strengthen its R&D operations and striving to create new high-functional materials that may provide new solutions for a wide range of industries, while also accelerating new business development.

Outline of the industry-academia joint research program

Course representative:

Professor Takeshi Abe, Graduate School of Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University

 
Participating professors:

Professor Hiroshi Kageyama, Graduate School of Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University

Professor Makoto Ouchi, Graduate School of Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University

Associate Professor Kazuhiko Matsumoto, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University

Professor Hiroki Sakaguchi, Graduate School of Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Tottori University

Professor Toshiki Nokami, Graduate School of Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Tottori University

*Researchers from Sumitomo Chemical have also participated as program-specific professors, program-specific associate professors, and researchers for the program.

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