BAM Develops an Alternative to Lithium-Ion Batteries

Solid-State Batteries BAM Develops an Alternative to Lithium-Ion Batteries

2025-05-21 Source: Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Researchers at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) are making solid-state batteries more powerful and practical. Their goal: batteries that charge faster, last longer, and are more sustainable than conventional lithium-ion batteries. A new solid electrolyte could pave the way for groundbreaking battery technology.

The right mix is crucial. The BAM team is developing special solid electrolytes based on sodium superionic conductors.(Image: Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing) — The right mix is crucial. The BAM team is developing special solid electrolytes based on sodium superionic conductors.
(Image: Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing)

The limits of the performance of conventional lithium-ion batteries have been reached: their anode, usually made of graphite, can only store ions to a limited extent. An alternative is offered by anodes made of pure lithium or the more sustainable and cheaper sodium—they could increase energy density by up to 40 percent. However, to operate them safely, a solid instead of a liquid electrolyte is required. A central problem with this: at the interface between the solid anode and solid electrolyte, there can be contact losses and cavities that render the battery unusable. A possible solution: a partially liquid anode.

Potassium Lowers the Melting Point of the Anode

"In a study, we were able to show that a liquid alkali metal anode is a hundred times more powerful than conventional graphite anodes," explains Gustav Graeber, battery material expert at Humboldt University Berlin (Germany) and visiting scientist at BAM. "So far, this technology is only usable at 250 degrees Celsius. Our goal is to transfer its benefits to room temperature." To achieve this, the research team is experimenting with potassium additives that lower the melting point of the anode. The challenge here: many common solid electrolytes are not stable enough against potassium.

New Solid Electrolyte as Key Technology

The solution could lie in a special solid electrolyte based on sodium superionic conductors (NASICON). These materials offer high ionic conductivity at room temperature and are chemically stable against potassium—especially when doped with hafnium. However, hafnium is rare and expensive.

In the NASICON project, Graeber and his interdisciplinary team of BAM experts are therefore looking for alternative additives that are equally efficient, but more sustainable and widely available. The most promising candidates are being tested directly in sodium batteries. "Our research project is a crucial step towards high-performance batteries that are more sustainable, cheaper, and more efficient," says Graeber. "Sodium solid-state batteries could drastically shorten charging times and significantly improve the performance of mobile and stationary energy storage systems—an important contribution to decarbonization."

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Date: 08.12.2025

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