A Finnish Startup Claims Breakthrough in Solid-State Battery Technology
In a surprising development, a Finnish startup, Donut Lab, has announced a significant milestone in solid-state battery technology. A spinoff from Verge Motorcycles, Donut Lab claims its new battery, heralded as the “Holy Grail of batteries” due to its high-density and rapid charging capabilities, is set for production later this year. This bold claim, however, has been met with considerable skepticism from experts.
Battery experts are cautious about Donut Lab’s assertion, especially as solid-state batteries have long been considered an elusive technology, likened to other perpetually “two years away” innovations such as artificial general intelligence and the hyperloop. The startup’s lack of a prior track record in the field and the absence of any known researchers associated with the company have raised questions about its credibility.
Eric Wachsman, director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute, expressed doubt, stating, “I can’t say they didn’t do it. All I can say is they haven’t demonstrated that they have.” The skepticism is not unfounded, as established companies like Toyota and Stellantis, as well as China, have been pursuing similar breakthroughs for years.
Amid doubts, Donut Lab launched a website, idonutbelieve.com, to share independent test results from Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre. The startup claims these results confirm its battery’s capabilities, including fast charging and high energy density, while ruling out the possibility of it being a supercapacitor.
CEO Marko Lehtimäki acknowledges the skepticism, saying, “The resistance won’t disappear when we present the proof. It will just intensify because this new technology is a threat to the established players in the industry.” Despite the claims, critical details about the battery’s chemistry, energy density, and cycle life remain unverified.
Donut Lab’s announcement at CES in January boasted an energy density of 400Wh per kilogram for its battery, double that of conventional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Furthermore, it promises a full charge in five minutes, a lifespan of 100,000 cycles, resistance to extreme temperatures, and the absence of rare earth elements and flammable electrolytes.
However, the startup has yet to substantiate these claims fully. Dr. Wachsman, after reviewing test results, pointed out issues such as the battery pouch losing its vacuum seal during extreme heat tests. This raises concerns about gas generation within the battery, a problem typically linked to electrolyte decomposition or oxygen release.
Solid-state batteries face several challenges, particularly the formation of dendrites, which can cause short circuits. Recent research from MIT, published in Nature, highlights that chemical reactions causing electrolyte weakening also promote dendrite growth, underscoring the need for more chemically stable materials.
China is making strides in this area, with CATL filing a patent for a solid-state battery with 500Wh energy density and planning small-scale production by 2027. Other Chinese companies, like FAW, are also advancing with new battery technologies.
While Donut Lab remains confident, the industry remains divided on the feasibility of its claims. In a recent video, Lehtimäki addressed ongoing controversies and unveiled a newer version of the battery, expected to ship later this year. He admitted that the “100,000 cycles” figure is a design target, not yet experimentally verified, with actual testing conducted over shorter cycles.
As the race to develop viable solid-state batteries continues, Donut Lab’s bold claims remain under scrutiny, with the global industry watching closely for future developments.
Original Story at www.theverge.com