LG Energy Solution (LGES), and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) claimed to have made a technological breakthrough that significantly increases battery performance.

After two years of joint research, the two claimed to have developed a new technology that significantly increases the life cycle of lithium metal batteries (LMB), or solid state batteries while providing an energy density which results in a 50% increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) driving range compared with lithium ion batteries currently in use.

The new technology was said to enable BEVs to travel up to 900km on a single charge and allows more than 400 charge/discharge cycles.

Existing LMB battery technology typically uses lithium metal based anodes instead of graphite based anodes which helps reduce weight and volume while increasing energy density and charging and discharging efficiency. But this generates a byproduct called dendrite, which causes corrosion, leading to declining performance and ultimately a shorter battery lifespan.

LGES researchers said the new technology uses a borate pyran based liquid electrolyte to overcome this problem in lithium metal batteries while providing high energy density and improved charging and discharging efficiency. The company said the battery cells also do not require high temperatures and pressure to be put into action, helping to improve manufacturing efficiency.

Jung Geun-chang, vice president in charge of LGES’ Future Technology Center, said in a statement: “This technology is significant in that it has overcome a major hurdle in the commercialisation of lithium metal batteries using liquid electrolytes. Our research results prove the feasibility of liquid electrolyte based lithium-metal batteries, previously considered impossible”.