Xiaomi has disclosed a brand new patent marking its entry into solid-state battery growth. The patent describes a layered electrode construction that improves ionic conductivity and power density—two essential obstacles to commercialising this next-generation battery expertise.
The core of the design integrates a present collector with a number of electrode materials layers composed of lively supplies, conductive brokers, binders, and a stable electrolyte product of polymers and steel salts. The electrolyte penetrates the electrode layer alongside its thickness, shortening ion transport paths and enhancing efficiency. Xiaomi additionally notes that this method is appropriate with present lithium battery manufacturing strains, probably easing future mass manufacturing.
Xiaomi claims its prototype helps a Cell-to-Physique (CTB) design with a 77.8% quantity effectivity. The battery pack, measuring solely 120 mm in top, together with the car flooring, affords higher house utilisation and improved weight distribution. Claimed figures embrace a CLTC-rated vary exceeding 1,200 km and a fast-charging functionality of 800 km in 10 minutes.
This growth aligns with a broader trade push towards solid-state batteries. World gamers, together with CATL, BYD, Toyota, SAIC, and BMW, are advancing comparable applied sciences. BMW has begun street testing a prototype i7, whereas CATL and SAIC goal small-scale manufacturing by 2027. Toyota additionally goals to launch its first solid-state battery fashions between 2027 and 2028.
Strong-state batteries substitute the liquid electrolyte in typical lithium-ion cells with stable supplies, promising enhancements in power density, security, and thermal stability. Nevertheless, vital hurdles persist, equivalent to restricted ionic conductivity, interfacial contact points, and lithium dendrite formation. Three varieties of stable electrolytes—sulfide, oxide, and polymer—are being explored, every with conductivity, stability, and manufacturability trade-offs.
Xiaomi’s patent signifies progress in addressing ion transport challenges inside thick electrodes, a key bottleneck in fast-charging purposes. Analysts recommend this might give Xiaomi a path towards integrating in-house solid-state batteries into future EVs, equivalent to a successor to the SU7, lowering reliance on third-party suppliers like CATL and BYD.
Whereas widespread adoption is unlikely earlier than 2030, Xiaomi’s entry alerts rising momentum. With growing funding from automakers and battery corporations, solid-state batteries are inching nearer to industrial actuality.
