Novel Solid-State Li-ion Battery Tech Raises the Power Density and Reliability Bar

What you'll learn:

• Features of ITEN's Powency batteries.
• Leveraging nanomaterials for high performance.
• The batteries' enhanced safety and higher sustainability.

Poised to revolutionize energy storage, solid-state batteries offer the promise of a safer, more efficient, and higher-performing alternative to current lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. ITEN, a player in the development and production of surface-mount device (SMD) solid-state batteries (SSBs) for electronic markets, unveiled its latest advance in energy storage, designed to offer high capacity and high energy density for demanding use cases.

ITEN’s batteries combine the advantages of both batteries and supercapacitors. Its technologies are said to overcome the drawbacks of conventional Li-ion batteries to deliver high performance and reliability, supporting a wide range of product designs and applications.

Details on ITEN's New Powency Batteries

The new Powency family includes the PWY0150S battery, available in pre-production, and the PWY0250S battery, available as engineering samples. The batteries respectively have a capacity of 150 µAh and 250 µAh.

ITEN’s PWY0150S is said to achieve an unprecedented 200C discharge rate (200X the battery’s capacity per hour), which is 100X higher than ion batteries. Conventional Li-ion batteries typically support discharge rates of 2C to 5C, limiting their ability to handle high-power applications. The 200C discharge rate was demonstrated on a Powency 150-μAh model with an 18-mm² footprint, translating into peak current capabilities of 30 mA for 50-ms pulse lengths.

According to ITEN, its Powency batteries retain at least 50% of their capacity at −20°C, a temperature at which conventional Li-ion batteries typically lose 80% to 90% of their capacity. What’s more, the Powency batteries feature a cycle life of up to 250 cycles at 100% depth of discharge at 70°C. And they recharge quickly—in some circumstances it’s possible to restore 80% of capacity in six minutes.

Leveraging Nanomaterials for High-Performance Solutions

This technological advance is based on ITEN's ability to engineer nanomaterials for full-ceramic electrodes featuring a patented mesoporous structure. This structure has pores with a diameter range between 2 and 50 ns within its framework, which significantly enhances their specific surface area. The innovation also enables hybrid architectures whereby primary batteries can be paired with a Powency device to improve cost, lifespan, and sustainability.

With over 100 customers across various industries already sampling ITEN batteries, as well as designing connected devices using its technology, the Powency products are expected to be ready for full-scale production in the second half of 2025. ITEN’s Dardilly France pilot line has the capacity to produce more than 30 million batteries per year, with ongoing plans to launch a high-capacity manufacturing facility by 2028 to meet increasing market demand

ITEN’s battery-charging platform requires only a constant-voltage (CV) charging mechanism. This criterion simplifies the design and decreases the complexity of the charging circuit, resulting in a lower-cost bill of materials (BOM).

Enhanced Safety and Higher Sustainability

ITEN said its solid-state battery technology eliminates risks of fire, thermal runaway, or ignition, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional battery chemistries. ITEN further stated that its solid-state batteries are free of hazardous materials and comply with RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) European Union environmental regulations.

The environmentally responsible manufacturing process also operates at low temperatures, minimizing its ecological footprint. The rechargeable design reduces battery waste, while the production process doesn’t employ cobalt or heavy solvents.

With over 200 patents and expertise in solid-state battery technology, ITEN serves industries requiring compact, high-performance energy storage. ITEN is a two-time winner of the Global Innovation Competition and a French Tech 120 laureate, as well as a recipient of the CES 2024 Best of Innovation Award.