Ilika solid state battery passes nail penetration test
Tests have demonstrated the safety of Goliath solid state cell battery prototypes developed by Ilika in the UK with the key nail penetration test.
University College London carried out the nail penetration test, a standard battery safety assessment, on the Ilika Goliath P1 prototype solid state battery cell. The company has shipped solid state battery cell samples to car makers and teamed up with UK silicon supplier for cells for BMW.
Ilika, Nexeon team for UK silicon solid state batteries with BMW
This destructive test creates an internal electrical short-circuit inside a cell by piercing the cell with a metal nail. The test simulates a catastrophic incident that would typically cause energy-dense lithium-ion cells with lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cathode chemistry to dangerously swell, rupture, explode, and catch fire in a process known as thermal runaway, often leading to temperatures above 600°C. Goliath P1 cells also use high-energy NMC cathode chemistry, however in the nail penetration tests the P1 cells neither exploded nor caught fire, with external temperatures remaining below 80°C.
Solid state batteries are anticipated to provide a safer battery for next-generation EVs. It is expected that a combination of improved safety performance and high energy density will reduce the complexity of battery packs, leading to lighter and safer vehicles with longer driving range.
Testing was carried out as part of a short collaborative study, in association with the Faraday Institution SafeBatt project, which aims to develop an improved understanding of safety in next generation battery technologies. The study involves Ilika alongside researchers from the University of Oxford and University College London. The core Safebatt project explores the science of battery safety and works closely with UK battery developers and manufacturers for industrial design and deployment.
“Ilika has designed solid state cells intended to provide a safer alternative to high-energy lithium-ion batteries. Thanks to SafeBatt and this study, we have now observed test results which contribute to a growing body of evidence demonstrating Goliath’s superior safety performance,” said Graeme Purdy, Ilika CEO.
Dr James Robinson, Lecturer in Advanced Propulsion at University College London and Safebatt Project Leader, said: “These early results have exceeded our expectations in terms of cell safety. While there is still further testing to be undertaken, there seems to be an inherent safety advantage in nail penetration tests for this cell type over conventional state-of-the-art cells.”
Professor Paul Shearing, Statutory Professor in Sustainable Energy Engineering at the University of Oxford and Safebatt Principal Investigator, said “Embedding advanced safety testing in the development cycle for next generation batteries is critical to accelerating their deployment, and we are delighted to work with Ilika in this study to translate our understanding of battery safety to their solid state technology.”
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