An Australian-listed company developing solid-state battery technology has notched a significant milestone, with its cathode manufacturing process independently validated in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Critical Resources says its dry supersonic deposition (DSD) process was published in the journal Electrochimica Acta, providing external confirmation of the technology at the core of its licensing strategy. The company is not building battery cells itself. It plans to licence the intellectual property to manufacturers in defence, industrial and infrastructure markets.
DSD is a solvent-free, binder-free method that lays down a battery cathode in a single dry step. That matters for energy-storage installers because conventional battery manufacturing relies on slurry-based processes that require mixing materials with solvents and binders, then coating and baking them in large, high-temperature ovens. The DSD approach removes those stages, which the company says cuts cost, toxicity and energy use in manufacturing.
Early, unoptimised test results published in the journal showed the DSD cathode produced 154 milliamp-hours per gram, close to the theoretical capacity of the lithium-iron-phosphate material used. It also held 85 per cent of its capacity across 500 charge cycles, with a coulombic efficiency above 99.5 per cent. That is a measure of how much of a charge can be recovered on discharge, and high figures indicate less energy wasted per cycle.
Managing director Tim Wither said peer review sets a high bar and clearing it de-risks the process for potential commercial partners. The next step is integrating the company’s sulphur-free solid-state electrolyte into the same DSD process to produce a full solid-state cell. Full-format pouch cell testing is on the agenda after that. All current work is carried out at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, under a US Government-backed centre for solid-state energy storage.
For electricians working in battery storage and EV charging, the progress is worth watching. Solid-state cells promise better energy density, longer cycle life and reduced fire risk compared with conventional lithium-ion packs. If the licensing model works, the technology could eventually flow through to the commercial-grade storage products that sparkies specify and install.
Frequently asked questions
What is dry supersonic deposition (DSD)?
DSD is a solvent-free, binder-free manufacturing method that applies a battery cathode in a single dry step, removing the high-temperature ovens and chemical solvents used in conventional battery production.
What did peer review confirm about the DSD cathode?
Results published in Electrochimica Acta showed the cathode produced 154 milliamp-hours per gram and retained 85 per cent capacity after 500 charge cycles, with a coulombic efficiency above 99.5 per cent.
Will Critical Resources make batteries itself?
No. The company plans to licence its intellectual property to battery manufacturers in defence, industrial and infrastructure markets rather than producing cells directly.
Why does solid-state battery technology matter for electricians?
Solid-state cells offer higher energy density, longer cycle life and lower fire risk than conventional lithium-ion batteries, which could improve the commercial-grade storage products electricians specify and install.
Sourced from The Sydney Morning Herald, Bulls N’ Bears. Original article.
