Donut Lab's Solid-State Battery Performs Well Under Extreme Heat

Finnish startup Donut Lab's solid-state battery maintains performance and increases capacity at extreme temperatures, as shown in a study by VTT.

Introduction

Finnish startup Donut Lab has successfully demonstrated the exceptional performance of its solid-state battery under extreme heat conditions, according to a recent study by VTT Technical Research Centre. This breakthrough could signal significant advancements in battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs) and other applications.

Study Overview and Methodology

In collaboration with VTT, Donut Lab conducted tests on a 3.6V/26 Amp-hour solid-state battery under varying temperatures to evaluate its performance under extreme conditions. The tests were designed to simulate real-world scenarios where batteries might be exposed to high temperatures, which can adversely affect traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Performance at High Temperatures

The results of the study revealed that Donut Lab’s solid-state battery not only maintained functionality but also showed increased capacity when tested at 80°C and 100°C. Specifically:

- At room temperature (20°C), the cell delivered 24.9Ah.

- At 80°C, performance improved to 27.5Ah, a 10.5% increase over its baseline capacity.

- At 100°C, the cell delivered 27.6Ah, a 7.1% increase from its room-temperature performance.

Despite these promising results, VTT noted that physical stress on the battery's pouch caused it to lose its vacuum seal at higher temperatures.

Comparison with Traditional Lithium-Ion Batteries

The findings highlight significant advantages of solid-state batteries over their liquid electrolyte counterparts:

- **Heat Resistance**: While traditional lithium-ion batteries can suffer from thermal runaway and degrade at high temperatures, Donut Lab’s solid-state battery showed no such issues.

- **Increased Efficiency**: The study demonstrated that the internal resistance of the solid electrolyte decreased as temperature increased, allowing for more efficient ion movement.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the encouraging results, several key questions remain unanswered. VTT did not confirm the specific chemistry used in Donut Lab’s pack, and the test did not address the "dendrite issue," a common problem associated with solid-state batteries where microstalagmites can cause electrical shorts. These challenges must be overcome for widespread adoption of solid-state technology.

Implications for EVs and Future Research

The potential benefits of Donut Lab’s solid-state battery include:

- **Enhanced Safety**: The elimination of flammable liquid electrolytes could reduce fire risks during accidents.

- **Improved Performance**: Better efficiency at high temperatures can lead to extended range and faster charging times in electric vehicles.

Further independent testing, particularly addressing the dendrite issue, will be crucial for validating Donut Lab’s claims and accelerating the commercialization of this technology.

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