Will 3D printing shape the destiny of solid-state batteries?

This might be what happens next.

Rechargeable batteries are batteries that can be charged and used again multiple times.

and longer range.

and living for a longer time.

And, in theory, it can be any shape you desire.

to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. They are working quickly because there is a high demand for a solution to this global pandemic.

to figure out how a battery works

there might be something in the future that can take the place of these.

lithium ion is always around

And one company is going even further with this.

and wants to modify our concept

You can create different shapes of batteries using 3D printing.

Let's go back and explain what a battery is.

A regular battery functions or operates in a certain way.

By changing the energy from chemicals into electricity.

We need a happy ending, or a positive part.

In this situation, a nail that has a layer of zinc on it.

And an unhappy ending, or the positive electrode,

The copper penny belongs to us.

We also need something to join these two together.

The electrolyte is a substance that is called this way.

That is where our potato is useful.

I will only do one example. One person is here.

Each part of the potato has a chemical reaction.

The anode actually lets go of electrons.

The travel is done by the electrons through the wire back to the cathode.

This moving of electrons is what's changing

That process turns a chemical reaction into electricity.

That didn't really have any effect, as you can see.

However, if we include some extra potatoes,

We will most likely make this light function.

Thanks

These clips are very difficult.

So that's the foundation of any chemical battery.

Lithium ion batteries consist of the electrolyte and the anode. -

The majority of batteries today contain a liquid electrolyte. -

We actually refer to them as lithium ion batteries because

the electrolyte is filled with lithium ions.

Liquid electrolytes are exceptional conductors.

And if you follow the news, you've probably seen

reports on incidents like this. -

[Announcer] Her phone caught fire. -

[News Anchor] Model S Plaid burst into flames -

May have sparked a fire at a local recycling plant

constructing these solid-state batteries are exploring

electrolytes made from various materials like ceramics, glasses,

and polymers. to utilize for your anode.

Your typical lithium ion batteries utilize graphite.

which already functions quite effectively.

But there is a more potent contender available.

- The ultimate goal for battery anodes

has been lithium metal.

And that's not overlooked by individuals.

- So lithium metal possesses a greater capacity

than alternative anodes such as silicon or graphite,

but it is challenging to manipulate.

It has a tendency to form these minuscule structures

referred to as dendrites that can cause a battery short circuit.

This has been a significant issue for liquid electrolytes.

However, utilizing a solid material could enhance the situation.

- The way I conceptualize dendrites is akin to the roots

of a tree system.

The roots are growing.

You want to prevent the roots from, you know,

invading your house.

So what do you do?

You erect a concrete wall or something exceptionally rigid,

thus mechanically obstructing them.

- Therefore, a reliable solid electrolyte can withstand

these small dendrites

while still facilitating the smooth movement of ions back and forth.

Throughout the past few years, is to push the boundaries of innovation and technology. - In recent times, significant advancements have been made in these novel materials.

- Presently, pioneering emerging companies are striving to transition their experimental batteries from the laboratory setting to a production facility.

- A prominent organization based in California, Sakuu, is embarking on an ambitious endeavor.

- Their focus lies in developing solid-state batteries that incorporate lithium metal anodes.

- Moreover, they aspire to utilize 3D printing technology in the manufacturing process.

- To pursue this path, it is imperative to explore new frontiers in innovation and technology.

of obtaining more sustainable, safer, and superior batteries

is by eventually

challenging the production technique.

- [Lizzie] Therefore, most batteries currently undergo

a process known as roll-to-roll manufacturing.

The materials are rolled out into elongated sheets

and subsequently trimmed into individual battery layers.

However, 3D printing offers an alternative approach

that allows Sakuu to fit more layers

within the same spatial constraints,

thus enhancing the overall battery capacity.

- [Arwed] Consequently, it differs from the current method

where the battery is simply enclosed within a pouch,

as the layers must be securely sealed.

But in the printer using the Sakuu Kavian platform,

our printer platform, we can fabricate these batteries

directly within the printer and this is their appearance.

- [Lizzie] This is how Sakuu aims to surpass

other solid-state startups and lithium ion manufacturers

who are adhering to roll-to-roll.

- So it truly requires the combination

of excellent battery design and the

advanced manufacturing technology.

Remaining with roll-to-roll

certainly would not allow us

to achieve higher energy densities than anyone else.

Alright, a major warning regarding all of this.

Sakuu has fabricated solid-state batteries through 3D printing in their laboratory,

yet they haven't completely manufactured a battery

utilizing their initial model.

In reality, we were unable to even record

the actual prototype of the 3D printer.

Sakuu explains that's due to an overwhelming amount of work.

Confidential activities are happening that they are not

prepared to disclose to the public at this time.

In reality, they have constructed this initial version,

they are conducting experiments,

and they are attempting to determine

how to optimize

the battery using this production method.

What we are about to present to you

is actually the three-dimensional printed replica of that three-dimensional printer.

Meta, I am aware

-

This platform has the capability to utilize various options as well. So it can print metals, it can print ceramics, and it can print polymers.

And it is printing those layers systematically and that is the crucial factor to enhance efficiency.

[Lizzie] How swiftly?

Well, we are not precisely certain yet.

Sakuu aspires that one day each machine would have the capacity

to generate 40 megawatt hours of energy storage annually.

In ordinary terms, that is approximately equivalent

to 500 electric car batteries per year.

But this prototype functions differently

than your traditional 3D printer.

technology to create batteries with complex shapes.

But with 3D printing, the possibilities are endless.

Batteries can be printed in any shape or size,

allowing for more flexibility in design and integration.

This opens up a whole new world of possibilities

for battery applications in various industries.

Imagine batteries that can fit seamlessly into clothing,

or batteries that are customized to fit into specific devices.

The potential for innovation is truly exciting.

So while the process of 3D printing batteries

may not be the most efficient or cost-effective right now,

the potential for future advancements is undeniable.

And with more research and development,

we may soon see 3D printed batteries become

a common and practical solution for our energy needs.

to actually create different shapes.

It would necessitate new tools, additional waste,

and possibly a higher price tag.

3D printing could be significantly more adaptable.

- Envision this in the future,

you will witness batteries which truly become a component,

an essential component of a product.

For instance, if you observe AR/VR glasses,

the temple arm of the glasses could be a printed battery.

Or you observe a mobile phone

where perhaps the casing of the mobile phone

is essentially a battery.

- [Lizzie] So the battery isn't just more potent itself.

It can also fill up unused space,

maximizing its presence in a product,

and enhancing power in that manner too.

You wouldn't necessarily have to design a product

around a battery.

You could design the battery around your product.

And this is obviously not the genuine printer.

So what's the size of one of these?

- [Arwed] For this initial one,

are also exploring similar methods.

The size of the footprint measures approximately 10 meters in length.

Is this the initial model we are presenting?

- [Lizzie] Completely transforming everything is clearly a gamble.

The organization asserts that their procedure

has the potential to diminish production expenses,

but they were unwilling to disclose the specific cost

of the printer to us.

Furthermore,

you are introducing a novel production method

to a well-established sector,

and that will inevitably pose difficulties.

And they are not the sole entities adopting this strategy.

Other firms such as Blackstone Resources are also investigating comparable techniques.

Sakuu is also working on

3D printed batteries.

While all this research and development has been occurring,

lithium ion batteries are simply becoming more affordable

and more efficient.

That's a really difficult challenge to overcome.

Sakuu is currently constructing its initial factory

and aims to distribute sample batteries to their customers

in 2023.

- So this facility will exclusively accommodate

our own battery production,

which is, obviously, necessary to validate the process

and demonstrate to everyone that our technology functions successfully.

- [Lizzie] While startups like Sakuu

are putting their initial generation products to the test,

the demand for more advanced batteries is only increasing.

The objective is not only to introduce a superior battery for your phone,

but also to extend the range of electric vehicles

and provide large-scale storage for a decarbonized energy grid.

However, to compete with the realm of lithium ion,

- This implies that the necessary action we need to take

to make this substance marketable

is to ensure they are flawless.

Because if they're not flawless,

they pose a considerable obstacle

in our efforts to transform this into a long-lasting battery

that can provide power to all the devices we desire.