Samsung Electro-Mechanics Unveils All-Solid-State Battery for Wearables

[TheLostSwede]

SEMCO (Samsung Electro-Mechanics) has developed an ultra-compact all-solid-state battery tailored for wearable devices. The innovative battery is an oxide-based small all-solid-state battery with an industry-leading energy density of 200 Wh/L.

This has achieved an equivalent level of energy density to lithium-ion batteries while being smaller in size, and SEMCO is currently promoting this product to customers through prototype evaluations. All-solid-state batteries utilize a non-flammable solid electrolyte for charging and discharging, enhancing safety and solid to external shocks, and allowing for various shapes, even at ultra-compact sizes.




In contrast, traditional lithium-ion batteries, which are created by rolling thin plates, can encounter wrinkling at the folds in ultra-compact designs. Additionally, they require additional space to accommodate internal volume expansion during charging, which limits miniaturization.

SEMCO has overcome the limitations of miniaturization with its oxide-based all-solid-state battery.

Similar to the MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor) process, by printing thin layers of electrode and solid electrolyte materials, stacking them alternately, and cutting them, the manufacturing process prevents wrinkling. In addition, the volume change during charging is minimal, eliminating the need for extra space, and there is no requirement for the separator typically needed in lithium-ion batteries, successfully enabling ultra-compact design.

SEMCO has leveraged its expertise from MLCC manufacturing in developing the oxide-based small all-solid-state battery.

Numerous patents related to oxide-based all-solid-state batteries have been secured by SEMCO in preparation for commercialization, with over 40 patents filed internationally in the past three years.

By capitalizing on the battery's high stability, miniaturization, and design versatility, SEMCO is prioritizing its application in wearable devices and is currently conducting tests with customers.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Chaitanya]

Interesting, wondering if they will be available in retail for consumer electronics like blood sugar testing machines, bluetooth remotes, etc...

 

[dgianstefani]

Lovely, hope to see this in the Galaxy Watch Ultra refresh, next time I buy buds and eventually in phones. Just got the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro so won't be for a while.

 

[mb194dc]

How much is the product going to cost..?

 

[bug]

This has achieved an equivalent level of energy density to lithium-ion batteries while being smaller in size

Idk how physics work at Samsung, but over here
same energy density x smaller size = less energy

 

[wNotyarD]

Idk how physics work at Samsung, but over here
same energy density x smaller size = less energy

Yeah, I think someone meant same energy capacity at a smaller size.

 

[dgianstefani]

Idk how physics work at Samsung, but over here
same energy density x smaller size = less energy

With batteries they often use weight as the metric.

It's wrong I know, but still.

W/kg

 

[Wirko]

Idk how physics work at Samsung, but over here
same energy density x smaller size = less energy

They didn't promise same energy. If the claims of same density are true, that's already a great achievement. If you have the ability to shape the battery into weird shapes (such as a ring), that's even greater.

With batteries they often use weight as the metric.

It's wrong I know, but still.

W/kg

Both are important, per unit volume and per unit weight. When we talk about the internet of lil things, volume probably matters more.

 

[GhostRyder]

I was wondering when this tech would start entering small scale devices like phones or wearables. They keep talking about it for EV's where so far I have not seen if its as feasible as they make it (Mostly due to the higher amount of Lithium needed in them), however the technology seems very fascinating in areas like mobile devices.

 

[persondb]

This has achieved an equivalent level of energy density to lithium-ion batteries while being smaller in size

So the energy density is the same(Wh/Kg) but the volumetric energy density(Wh/L) is smaller?

Solid States were supposed to have greater energy density than Li-Ion, but maybe it's a first gen thing.

 

[bonehead123]

Cool idea, hopefully it won't add another $3-400+ to the device's price... one can dream, yes ?

 

[Wirko]

Cool idea, hopefully it won't add another $3-400+ to the device's price... one can dream, yes ?

But it won't start a fire in your pocket, in your ears, in your tooth, in your other pocket, on your wrist, in the soles of your shoes, in your yet another pocket you've forgotten you have, in the area around your root chakra, and et cetera. (And more if you're close to your car, your house, your bicycle, your scooter, or other objects). That might be worth a few bucks.

 

[Kyan]

They keep talking about it for EV's where so far I have not seen if its as feasible as they make it (Mostly due to the higher amount of Lithium needed in them)

Isn't Solid State Battery there to stop using lithium ?

 

[GhostRyder]

Isn't Solid State Battery there to stop using lithium ?

No they still use it. Biggest difference is the Solid Electrolyte in Solid State versus the Liquid Electrolyte in Lithium ION.

 

[dgianstefani]

But it won't start a fire in your pocket, in your ears, in your tooth, in your other pocket, on your wrist, in the soles of your shoes, in your yet another pocket you've forgotten you have, in the area around your root chakra, and et cetera. (And more if you're close to your car, your house, your bicycle, your scooter, or other objects). That might be worth a few bucks.

I would gladly pay a premium for portable devices with a solid state battery, if that's what it takes to get them. It's the main consumable of them, besides fan motors and OLED screens.

Not having to open my thousand/s dollar devices to replace a battery with (hopefully available) oem parts every three or so years would be a very nice quality of life change.

I did replace a battery in my ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2 though, part straight from Lenovo site for £60, two day delivery and it's the gen 3 battery, which is compatible. Good experience there, but worse for phones.

 

[Totally]

Isn't Solid State Battery there to stop using lithium ?

No, I believe it was Cobalt the toxic component.

 

[Wirko]

Not having to open my thousand/s dollar devices to replace a battery with (hopefully available) oem parts every three or so years would be a very nice quality of life change.

Not sure about that... Does Samsung (or anyone else) claim that the solid-state battery would withstand many more charge cycles than Li-ion?

 

[dgianstefani]

Not sure about that... Does Samsung (or anyone else) claim that the solid-state battery would withstand many more charge cycles than Li-ion?

Yes.

That's part of the point of them, besides better energy density, faster charging/discharging, improved temperature range and being safer.

 

[InVasMani]

With batteries they often use weight as the metric.

It's wrong I know, but still.

W/kg

Kind of understandable space typically is not a major concern nearly as much as weight is when it comes to battery tech though in some instances like ultra compact SFF size becomes relevant I guess. I think in a lot of instances weight is a much larger concern and barrier when it comes to battery tech though. Pretty interesting battery tech though. If they can start scaling it and mass producing it has a lot of room to grow. I mean I'd go with solid state any time if it's lighter less hazardous and if similarly priced. I don't mind if it's a bit bigger as long as it's not astronomically larger in size. Cool stuff honestly would be pretty cool in a ebike since it's lighter and should be overall safer.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Isn't Solid State Battery there to stop using lithium ?

No. The point of Solid State batteries is to stop using the gel type electrolyte, instead using a solid electrolyte. The biggest benefits are a more stable chemistry, AKA more charge cycles, less wear and tear, better temperature tolerances, far lower chance of fire, less chance of buldging from bad cells, and as a coincidence, allowing odd battery shapes that can fit almost anywhere.

This IMO is rather exciting, the first commercial application of solid batteries, a tech we've been chasing for years.

 

[Kyan]

No. The point of Solid State batteries is to stop using the gel type electrolyte, instead using a solid electrolyte. The biggest benefits are a more stable chemistry, AKA more charge cycles, less wear and tear, better temperature tolerances, far lower chance of fire, less chance of buldging from bad cells, and as a coincidence, allowing odd battery shapes that can fit almost anywhere.

This IMO is rather exciting, the first commercial application of solid batteries, a tech we've been chasing for years.

I know the benefit of ssb but I think there was another environmental advantage about rare material being not useful for ssb.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

I know the benefit of ssb but I think there was another environmental advantage about rare material being not useful for ssb.

No, you're thinking of LiFePo4, or Lithium Iron Phosphate, which phased out both nickel and cobalt from the chemistry.

 

[dgianstefani]

No, you're thinking of LiFePo4, or Lithium Iron Phosphate, which phased out both nickel and cobalt from the chemistry.

Got one of these, 8000 cycles @80DoD, 280 Ah, 3000 W peak output, only weighs 25 kg. Impressed so far.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Got one of these, 8000 cycles @80DoD, 280 Ah, 3000 W peak output, only weighs 25 kg. Impressed so far.

I'm tempted to find one to replace the battery in my truck, for SnG, and also just for those sweet Cold Crank Amps.

 

[dgianstefani]

I'm tempted to find one to replace the battery in my truck, for SnG, and also just for those sweet Cold Crank Amps.

The one I have is a leisure battery but I think there are starter batteries too, just ensure you get the right type.