Researching All-Solid-State Batteries Virtually... A Clue to Commercialization

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A technology enabling the study of all-solid-state batteries, which can replace lithium-ion batteries mainly used in smartphones and electric vehicles, in a virtual space has been developed by a domestic research team. By utilizing this technology, research related to the electrolyte of all-solid-state batteries, which carry the risk of toxic gas generation, can be conducted safely. It is expected to contribute to securing South Korea's technological leadership in all-solid-state batteries.

The National Research Foundation of Korea announced on the 5th that a joint research team led by Professor Yongmin Lee of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology and Professor Yunseok Jeong of Hanyang University developed a digital twin-type all-solid-state battery model that can accurately and quickly find the optimal design of a non-explosive all-solid-state battery.

The research team developed a technology that uses digital twin, a technique that replicates an object identical to the real one in a virtual space, to study all-solid-state battery models. By utilizing this, it is possible to simulate a battery identical to the real one in a virtual space and repeatedly analyze the physical phenomena occurring inside the battery. It also allows prediction of performance changes according to various designs.

All-solid-state batteries use sulfide-based solid electrolytes that generate hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas, when exposed to moisture in the atmosphere, making repetitive preliminary experiments difficult. Unlike lithium-ion batteries containing flammable materials, all-solid-state batteries refer to batteries composed of flame-retardant solid electrolyte materials. Recently, interest in the development of all-solid-state batteries has been high, with Samsung Electronics reporting pouch-type all-solid-state batteries with lifespan and energy density comparable to lithium-ion batteries in an international academic journal.

The research team expects that this research achievement will provide a clue to accelerate the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries and become a platform that can be expanded to other electrodes or battery systems. This research was published on the 26th (local time) in Advanced Energy Materials, an international academic journal in the field of energy materials.