Blackstone Resources announced that the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse has approved its grant application and will fund 50 percent of the CHF 1.3 million development project. The project aims to develop solid-state electrolytes and the grant will be used to co-finance a sophisticated manufacturing simulation of 3D-printed solid-state batteries.
A research consortium of Blackstone Resources (BLS), the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) will upscale the synthesis of solid-state electrolytes developed by Empa.
A solid-state battery can provide repeated, reliable and safe discharges without the potential risk of thermal runaway, explosion or outgassing during frequent use. This means that it can be used within areas and constructions that were previously unthinkable for other battery types. This opens a wide range of applications.
The industrial production of the next generation of lithium-ion batteries with solid-state electrolytes is based on the production of electrodes from Blackstone’s own 3D-printing process. To scale up production based on a solid scientific foundation, BFH will contribute its know-how in production simulation and optimisation. Once implemented, the aim is to manufacture battery cells for less than EUR 80 per kWh.
Blackstone Resources AG sees solid-state electrolytes as a key component for the next battery technology and will produce this technology at scale and independently in the future.
These activities correspond closely with Blackstone’s latest press releases on the progress to date made by Blackstone Technology GmbH in Döbeln, Germany – a subsidiary of Blackstone Resources. The company has passed a number of milestones through its research and development programmes for both solid-state and 3D-printing battery technologies. Combined with Blackstone’s access to battery materials, these disruptive ventures form a solid basis for the company to deliver competitive cell production in Europe.
Hordon Kim, International Editor, hordon@powerelectronics.co.kr
