How Silicon Anode Batteries Will Bring Better Range To EVs

Lithium-ion battery performance has reached a plateau in recent years, but a breakthrough in battery technology is about to change that. Using silicon instead of graphite, the commonly used material in battery anodes today, enables significantly higher energy density and faster charging. The new tech has attracted the attention of big players such as GM, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Airbus. CNBC spoke with three companies working on silicon anodes - Sila Nanotechnologies, Amprius Technologies and Group14 Technologies, to learn how the new batteries will transform electric vehicles, consumer electronics and more.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:54 - Silicon anodes
04:03 - Companies involved
09:04 - What's next
Produced and Shot by: Andrew Evers
Edited by: Dain Evans
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt
Animation: Josh Kalven
Narration Magdalena Petrova
Additional Camera: Katie Brigham
Additional Footage: Amprius Technologies, Getty Images, Group14 Technologies, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Sila Nanotechnologies, WHOOP, AALTO
Correction (4/14/23): Group14 is operating a commercial-scale plant at its Woodinville, Washington headquarters that produces 120 tons of material per year.
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Why The Auto Industry Is Betting On Silicon Anode Batteries

[@georgemathieson6097]

I love how open these companies are about their exact plans, shortfalls, and who exactly they're working with.

[@brandoniams217]

that's because the intellectual property is incredibly complicated and not detailed here. Most of the people who can actually understand the manufacturing processes needed to achieve precision material science are already aware of these as the community is small and tightly connected. People leaving tech companies to coalesce and start these types of companies. So the benefit of sharing these breakthrough's is to create investor interest which increases available capital.

[@DarkAngelEU]

@@brandoniams217 I'd argue it's because this feels like a presentation for potential stock holders. They're all on the market, the video is very focused on economics and trade. And of course, there is the threat of alien competition lol

[@vfclists]

When you hear that silicon manufacture is cleaner than graphite manufacture, you know someone is telling porkies.

[@beatreuteler]

@@vfclists Can you explain why?

[@demef758]

Talk is cheap. Where are the prototypes that prove the claims?

[@TheAdventureAuto]

This is very promising and exciting. Improving on something 50% that already works so well is a win win.

[@nick_0]

Now imagine this tech with an electrified world run on a fusion powered grid. Future looks bright

[@spacetoast7783]

@@nick_0 Imagination is easy, I hope you have some suggestions on how to sustain nuclear fusion.

[@nick_0]

@@spacetoast7783 run a billion plasma physics simulations in a supercomputer, and develop an artificial intelligence model run on the data to optimize a energy input and magnetic confinement strength for maximum yield for a Q ratio greater than 1. Easier said than done, but I bet you that’s the best way to do it

[@beatreuteler]

@@nick_0 why fusion powered? With good storage as sodium ion will be, you can also have it solar powered.

[@nick_0]

@@beatreuteler sure, that’s going to be very effective, though a lot of parts of the world don’t have much sunshine for a big part of the year. fusion eliminates those reliability issues completely

[@paritoshdoshi3202]

Its not just the fact that silicon offers longer range, but it can be charged withing 10 minutes at higher charging rates without any dendrite formations. This combination is the key. Because apart from the major challenge of sourcing sustainable electricity without damaging grid stability, the other problems that EV faces are small range and long refueling time. By achieving this combinations, silicon batteries can replicate the IC engine vehicle's range and refueling experience. Silicon batteries may not be the only future but they sure are here to stay and grow while benefiting EV industry.

[@David-wc5zl]

Car Brain Addict.

[@Mischiefcity2013]

Startups are a lot of talk. Interested to see this in production

[@stoneglad]

It’s already in production! Sila Nanotechnologies has it in commercially available fitness trackers and soon it will also be in Mercedes Benz electric vehicles!

[@guidedbygreen1480]

"A couple of quarters from now, the men will be separated from the boys " - TJR 1/2023

[@fawa.z]

Yea, it’s like those concept cars that never gets produced.

[@johnbee7729]

So excited for this to happen. Wide scale adoption and production of Electric Vehicles will lead to dramatic price decreases. This technology, if truly scalable in the long term, is a major major step towards that objective.

[@JohnSmith-pn2vl]

who needs more range, like not even 0,1%. all battery technology is good enough, its more about the shear amount needed, people are so out of touch, always.

[@lookman7047]

​@@JohnSmith-pn2vlYou're right! We need a battery that will last a lifetime..😅

[@aidenwhitaker8792]

This is great, but what about when this goes public, and becomes cheap? Our power grid cannot withstand everyone switching to EVs.

[@Bayplaces]

Everyone driving their own vehicle, electric or not, won't solve the long-term resource extraction issue associated with a lack of efficient mass public transit.

[@GyroCannon]

@@JohnSmith-pn2vl And some people (and I mean you) are incapable of seeing the bigger picture. The new tech adds energy density, meaning you don't need to dedicate as much space in a car to the battery for the same amount of range. Now you get more leg room, trunk space, or safety features. All of which are good.

[@AllenHanPR]

Samsung basically bought higher density silicon batteries some years back from a battery maker without checking their technology. The next year Samsung had the best battery capacity phones out there, then all of the combusted into flames. Due to swelling of the battery.

[@rscott2247]

It will be interesting to see if these kind of EV's will encounter the same mess as lithium-ion ?

[@Blueyzachary]

I remember my highschool chemistry teacher was doing her master’s thesis on something to do with this and when she explained some of the concepts to my table (we were nerds ig), I was in awe. It’s awesome to see how battery technology is improving in ways I never imagined.

[@occamraiser]

Most interesting. Best technology article I've seen all week. Thanks.

[@grambo1980]

Silicon and sodium batteries have been on the test lab for years. Need them to come to scale.

[@BenjaminCronce]

Kind of the point of this. Silicon is now commercial available and is already in consumer devices and is already planned to be in up-coming large market devices. It's the first of it, but it's here.

[@spacetoast7783]

Sodium batteries have poor energy density, no? The only reason to use them, maybe, is cost. They're really more for grid storage.

[@jaker3151]

What I got from this piece is that silicon has been used in batteries for over a decade (eg. Telsa Model S) but in small percentages. What these companies are doing now is increasing the percentage of silicon in the batteries.It seems the more silicon that is in the battery the harder it is to make and hence more costly. Seems these companies are trying to find a good balance for mass production.

[@beatreuteler]

@@jaker3151 I think it makes sense to expect that at least some of these companies will stick to the ultimate goal to be able to build a 100% silicon anode that doesn't swell, so it survives.

[@stefanweilhartner4415]

@@spacetoast7783 yes, but maybe the silicon anode can be applied with increasing energy density

[@rupash88]

Will be excited when this is actually in production, been hearing about breakthrough battery tech for years.

[@eaaeeeea]

Did you watch the video? These silicon batteries are already in use in commercial products such as the fitness tracker.

[@stoneglad]

It’s already in production! Sila Nanotechnologies has it in commercially available fitness trackers and soon it will also be in Mercedes Benz electric vehicles!

[@beatreuteler]

@@stoneglad When soon is 5+ years then I'd agree according to the video. Not than Mercedes possibly would like getting it sooner, but given the time it takes to build and commission large production facilities, that's the minimum it takes

[@SmartMart1658]

This would revolutionize the EV / transport industry if they can mass produce these new batteries.

[@Itsmarkyoung]

Drawbacks aside, this feels like a significant breakthrough. Remember, this is the *worst* this technology will be, and it can only be improved to fix temperature variation, lifespan, and cost efficiency. Hopefully more in the future

[@gorter23]

if this is not circulair it is not helping a better future

[@coryc9040]

Feels like a commercial to me

[@Bat_Boy]

Still not strong enough to power my wife’s vibrator. 😅

[@beatreuteler]

@@gorter23 I consider it will be circulated. We generally can't afford not to circulate mass produced materials any longer. However when mass production ramping slowly (it will take them 10+ years to ramp) recycling facilities are built very late in the game because prior to that they can't survive due to slow volume.

[@obtuseangler768]

It will be a breakthrough when we do the math on available minerals and realize we won't be making batteries to go 1500kms, we will be stuck with smaller batteries that have the same range as today if we are going to have batteries at all

[@encoremultimedia3511]

I'm a baby boomer and in my lifetime I've been fortunate enough to see some pretty amazing things. But I think this may be one fo the top five amazing things that happens while I'm still here. These batteries have the potential to effect pretty much everything we use in modern society on this planet and help save the planet too! Yes, super exciting!!!

[@encoremultimedia3511]

@John Holmes Really? You think electric power plants will only use natural gas to generate power for the rest of time? There are many stories about better ways to generate electrical power via nuclear and not only fission but fusion and there's solar, hydro, wind and experiments in generating electricity via ocean wave movement. As long as government and other small minded people don't get in the way, who knows what might be invented in the future. I, for one, am not a science denier. I'm sure great things are coming.

[@stoney202]

Unfortunately very little said about about battery lifespan. It's not that great if you can go twice as far only half as much. The other hurdle it's failed to tackle here is temperature variation. Temperature can play a huge part in how efficient current designs are.

[@miv366]

Those more of a packing issues I believe. There is lot more engineering to be done, after they make anode powder.

[@jghall00]

Cell temps are managed with active cooling. Tesla has demonstrated sufficient longevity and warranties will cover the first 100,000 miles.

[@LifeBindeR222]

That doesn't fit their narrative.

[@calicoesblue4703]

@@jghall00 lmao🤣🤣🤣

[@MustachioFurioso9134]

Lithium-Silicone anode batteries are anticipated to actually have a better lifespan than current batteries, as per studies on them. But in practice, they're still trying to find ways to extend the lifespan, as it's similar to current technology. So right now, that really isn't a problem

[@kc4cvh]

I remember reading UC San Diego's press release eighteen months ago about their breakthrough with a all-silicon nanoparticle anode that offers all the advantages mentioned here, but found no further mention of it until today. I concluded that it had proved a dead end.

[@Jfff-ugfgh]

I am so exciting to hear breakthrough battery everyday!

[@JeanSantana000]

Silicon anodes in car batteries could be a game changer. Not only do they store more energy and last longer, but they could also make electric cars more affordable in the long run.

[@spacetoast7783]

Yes, that is what this video said.

[@klankowski]

At larger scale yes , but when you need to have a battery in a confined space and that battery now needs to swell to hold a charge, the volumetric capacity of the battery compared to current technology is still an issue.

[@Boxagami]

Maybe so, but the EV cars suffer the same issues they did when they were first invented over 100 years ago and that's a loss of battery power in towing small stuff.

[@timberwolfe1645]

Wait and see on that. Car companies will probably just keep prices high for more profit

[@phillyphil1513]

re: "Silicon anodes in car batteries could be a game changer." indeed but that's just the "scam" of WORDS innit...? the "scam" of FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS...? ie, the "scam" of RHETORIC and PROPAGANDA...? yeah cause any technology currently being studied/researched in the dark corner of a University laboratory somewhere can IN THEORY be pointed at, and given the label "game changer". meanwhile back in the real world (you know the place where us normal people live) no games are being "changed", games are only being "played".

[@JRPGGUY]

EV just keep getting better

[@luffirton]

It’s sure going to be transformational for the EV industry and become the standard battery technology for light and heavy EV vehicles manufacturing if the suggested mileage is accurate and a increase from 3-400 miles to 6-700 mile range in normal conditions. Possibly small commercial airplanes as well could benefit hugely. As of now the battery technology is the biggest thing holding back useful mass adoption of EV and of course a bigger infrastructure charging network buildout.

[@OceanSky159]

this is like one of the most important videos to stumble upon randomly.

[@wingn3849]

Let me hold my breath at another Battery Breakthrough

[@spacetoast7783]

It's already on the market.

[@TheEsquireClub]

Exciting!

[@deandeann1541]

Mung dele m'bata. Semper ubi sub ubi. Ugga bugga boo. Tank you for giving timely consideration to this most serious matter.

[@sunilalexandercampianregis8874]

I knew all along that there other materials which will be more magical than what you have already discovered , you have only scratched the surface, keep going the future is promising

[@brazilchem]

the monthly vid of the EV batteries "breakthrough". It's been years now.

[@phillyphil1513]

LMAO... yup, basically.

[@synergy021]

Right up there with graphene and fusion.

[@phillyphil1513]

@@synergy021 and don't forget the hype 30 years ago around Super Conductivity. "Pepperidge Farm Remembers..."

[@JesusSaviorking]

Always great to see leaps and bounds in saving carbon emissions, only worry is if it has effects to the environment in the long term, especially with end life disposal or mining of it.

[@videosuperhero100]

Mining of sand?

[@beatreuteler]

@@videosuperhero100 Whatever you do has an impact.

[@videosuperhero100]

@@beatreuteler not sure the point of that comment 🤔 😕 🙄

[@beatreuteler]

@@videosuperhero100 What I tried to bring across: While it is understandable that people are having concerns about the impact of mining of several ingredients of any new product, it is sometimes hard to get how ignorant people can be vis a vis the impact of for example doing nothing: Meaning the impact of Oil desasters at sea, fracking processes for gas production a.s.o. because doing nothing means these things are going on forever. Somehow it seems there is a phenomenon of not being able to see what is already there, but beware of changing something, immediately there are millions of people that see it and have major concerns.

[@videosuperhero100]

@Beat Reuteler your response leaves a point you are possibly trying to make even more convoluted: 1) you are making a generalized response of no scope, 2) you are attempting to dismiss the idea that this vs this can't represent progress. The real comparison of o Keep this and do nothing vs this does matter. The need for power and movement will always be constant and how you do it with the least amount of impact, even if it's incremental has value. Saying that it doesn't... is rediculous.

[@user-hb5mm5ex1w]

Very informative. Thank you,

[@ccoder4953]

Pretty cool tech - hopefully this starts to be a game changer in the EV market. Looks like it's alot more advanced than just lab tests, hopefully mass commercialization isn't far away and it's not another sounds great, but doesn't pan out technology. One thing I wonder is if silicon anodes can be used with sodium instead of lithium. At that point, you'd have a battery that has raw materials with no scarcity issues at all.

[@bogdan78pop]

Sure they can.....they can also be used with Thorium, and run for hundreds of years...!!!

[@kineticstar]

I see the problem being the access to ingot level silicon. Right now, the computer chip industry is having issues with wafer garage silicon becoming more expensive due to scarcity. Also, if you're not using a CVD process to develop you cathode in comparison to this powder coating style your going to continue to have critical separation. But, of all the things I've seen the past few years I think this has a good potential.

[@occamraiser]

If you confuse silicon wafers and silicon dust as somehow a competing demand for what is basically SAND then I think you are mistaken.

[@alodelore9597]

Silicon wafers aren't hard to make. It's bascially like growing crystals from a chemicals toy set. The laser engraving and cutting is the hard part.

[@ElbilOla]

Polysilicon ingots is not a precursor for silcon anodes, silane gas is, or more specifically monosilane gas. Rec Silicon which is the biggest producer of silane gases outside of China has a production facility that they are planning on expanding just across the street from Sila and G14. I anticipate that they will scale production along with market demand.

[@fruitbouquet5479]

Scarcity? Isn’t silicon melted from sand soil? I don’t see sand ever becoming remotely close to scarcity in probably as long as Earth exists.

[@beatreuteler]

Even you may be right about the scarcity of ingot level silicon, I also believe this is not the issue here as it doesn't sound as this level is needed to make Anode materials.

[@tolazytothinkofanamd2351]

Great another battery break through tech we won't be seeing in a long time if ever

[@panashifzco3311]

This was really informative.

[@seanc6754]

Is it me or haven't we been hearing this song and dance for about 5 years now? Seems like I'm constantly hearing how great batteries are going to be soon yet they continue to be the same

[@StayPositiveLLC]

People profit on lithium, you really think they're gonna just let someone destroy their market?

[@beatreuteler]

@@StayPositiveLLC Explain why they should when this battery uses Lithium in the same scale as current ones?

[@StarrDust0]

your vids are great, well researched.

[@phillyphil1513]

indeed (though not perfect) on the whole these CNBC videos are top notch. 👍

[@GGN-92]

That's a very good news. Thanks for the share.

[@MrGriff305]

That will make a huge difference. Charging faster is key.

[@ahrenadams]

What I am hearing is prototyping is done, manufacturing at scale is hard

[@jghall00]

Lots of money at stake. I bet they'll figure it out.

[@incoherentexistence]

Pretty much.

[@moodlampActual]

Awesome. Who controls the raw materials?

[@electron6825]

Me

[@Gatecrasher1]

fascinating...absolutely fascinating

[@sunilalexandercampianregis8874]

The scientist like saints owe all the credit but above all the creator owes everything , the material comforts and the technological advances

[@Theoryofcatsndogs]

For the past few years, I keep reading new breakthroughs about battery tech, from new material to new production processes. But mass production is still yet to come. Sure, to make it into a couple products in low quantities is easy. But so far no big adaptation in mass product like iPhone or EV.

[@WAN2TREE4]

Of course those managers will say all the positive things about their technology to get more money from their investors even when their technology is still very much under development.

[@kamikaze7573]

Sadly, none of the "groundbreaking" technologies come to mass market.

[@phillyphil1513]

yup (as I heard someone else say last year) "ground breaking technologies..." good at everything except LEAVING THE LABORATORY.

[@guidedbygreen1480]

I would advise you dig into this topic a bit further. @@phillyphil1513

[@bernl178]

I am very very, very confident that we are going to solve the battery issue. This is like the pioneering years of racing auto racing. Where give these engineers a challenge, and somebody is going to figure out some thing that’s going to beat. I am also very, very confident that battery fires are going to become a thing.

[@thedarkmoon2341]

A tough business to be in when unforeseen 'leapfrog' discoveries could quickly obsolete all your hard work.

[@souravjaiswal-jr4bj]

Panasonic 2170 batteries with 5% Si anode has an energy density of 280 wh/kg, Tesla's 4680 has the potential to reach 300 wh/kg using 5-10% Si. How much energy density boost does 50% Si anode gives? Key detail missed by CNBC like always. I've read that the gains is minimal above 10% Si and insignificant above 25%.

[@jgm3796]

Hopefully not all EV ranges will be artificially limited to 300 miles to keep costs down. Hopefully the improved battery technology will unlock higher range capacities as options.

[@spacetoast7783]

Artificially?

[@spacetoast7783]

Honestly, 300 mi is plenty as long as fast charging is readily available.

[@bikis951]

​@@spacetoast7783 programmeted obsolescence, so you will be obligate to spend more money for more miles.

[@spacetoast7783]

@@bikis951 That's not what those words mean lmao. Are you saying there's a car company that pushed a software update to suddenly hard limit the battery to 300 miles?

[@DarthObscurity]

@@spacetoast7783 Pushed an update? No. Built them that way from the factory and only unlocked the range option if you PAID FOR IT? Yes. Tesla. It's common knowledge so a quick google search will show you. #1 reason most people won't ever touch an electric vehicle. Absolute bullcrap.

[@p3878]

Something I learned from grad school: if something is not terribly wrong, it has potential.

[@frankcoffey]

We are no where near the limit of battery technology, we are at the very beginning of 100 years of development. At some point solar and storage will be combined into a single cheap, lightweight, device with unthinkable efficiency.

[@petesmitt]

got a trouser tepee Frank?

[@vincentconti-jb3hd]

Frank it's so good to hear optimism!!! Thanx I already have that little system. A simple solar panel, regulator, and one 12 volt battery. No inverter. They use too much juice. Everything DC. Used only for lighting, charging my devices and occasionally a tiny refrigerator.... Not everyone can live like that, I understand.... It's been functioning for six years. I think it cost me $150. And I can eat better!!!!

[@DarthObscurity]

We were at the limit of those materials. On paper, these batteries hold xxx amount of energy and in practice we are at 90-95% of that number. That's how we know we are at the limits of the tech.

[@SanctuaryLife]

Does this battery have more density than the other 10 battery breakthroughs I read about over the past 10 years?

[@najibyarzerachic]

Be specific. Just talk about one and we can go from there.

[@codytappen]

You all do realize that we’ve gotten huge battery improvements in the last 10 years right?

[@SanctuaryLife]

@@najibyarzerachic ok how about the graphene battery?

[@KreemieNewgatt]

@@SanctuaryLife You mean graphene aluminum-ion? That technology is pretty exciting too, but as far as I know it's only being pursued at the University of Queensland

[@DarthObscurity]

@@SanctuaryLife Graphene will be good for capacitors, not batteries. Helps with charging faster not energy density.

[@nesseihtgnay9419]

awesome, keep on going

[@markrowland1366]

Thirty five years ago, battery technology was led-acid for vehicles and lead zink for touched. Nicol Metal Oxide, allowed the 12 volt drill.

[@klankowski]

What about the patents that will tie up the science of Silicon Anodes?

[@KreemieNewgatt]

The US govt should buy some of those patents and then announce that they won't be enforced, spurring development

[@davidpotter3717]

Isn't Lithium in short supply also? If all the cars in the world were electric, would there be enough Lithium to produce batteries to power them? I think there will need to be a variety of solutions to bring about the complete electrification of transport.

[@jchristensen07]

Lithium will ramp up as demand ramps up, but because heavy lithium demand is a recent development there were not enough investment to meet the upcoming demand for the next 5 years at least. So temporary shortage with a very achievable long term solution. Sodium batteries may take some pressure off because they will be a great solution for large scale power storage solutions. They're cheaper, and don't have the same thermal runaway properties as lithium batts do - but they are heavy and not ideal for transportation.

[@sayrith]

Yes this is why trains are the future. Cars is just one thing. Though I can see this used in fleet vehicles like buses and trucks

[@dangerclose1]

More than 90% of the Earth's crust is composed of silicate minerals, making silicon the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust.

[@baldurvigfusson5797]

Lithium is not a rare earth mineral.

[@raghuveer4552]

Lithium cost increased 1000% in the last decade and we haven’t even replaced 10% of ice with ev on this planet. It’s not financially viable anymore

[@yoji8130]

very cool would love to work on this

[@lazelda007]

I have seen so many reports and documentaries, and they all the same hurdle MANUFACTURING at large scale.

[@rebelquadronfpv1065]

Hope it can scale up in the next 10-20 years.

[@xchopp]

Really needs to scale up in the next 5 - 10 years to make a real difference, the climate won't wait for us.

[@JoshuaMcTackett]

You don't really need extra range on EVs though. 400km is plenty if the fast charging network is there. This does definitely open up potential for smaller batteries in EVs leading to faster charging, lighter vehicles and lower costs. 🤙

[@ahundredpercentprosperous4222]

Sounds great. That kind of additional driving range helps alleviate a lot of range anxiety. Electrics aren't their yet, but this is exciting progress. The infrastructure in the USA isn't up to dealing w adding millions of new electric cars & trucks as yet. And those w no place to charge at home won't want to buy in yet. Also the question of yrs or miles of useful battery life, and the cost of replacement is very important to consider even if one has a place to plug in at home. At this time I'd only opt for a gasoline electric hybrid until all these concerns are solved and the total cost of a car is within reason and very competitive w a ICE car. Even if I wanted one, and I don't, a new or late model Porsche or Benz are not happening for me anytime soon.

[@solapowsj25]

Improved EV design with better battery performance and use of photovoltaic cell for charging has made driving a please - using Ampere Bliss 1kVA with 60 km range.

[@danielcaceres9971]

Turning the entire global car fleet electric would be a MASSIVE extraction of resources which will defeat the purpose

[@AzureViking]

I could imagine battery tech scaling like computer storage. Much like I built my first computer with a slow 40GB HDD the size of a hard back book but now I have super fast 2TB M.2 SSD the size of a stick of gum. Battery tech is the backbone of future technologies

[@slowanddeliberate6893]

What happened to graphene batteries?

[@diego.e.a]

It's all hype. All battery stories they put out are hollow words.

[@rocklife1802]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Theory is beautiful but practical not possible for now

[@donaldharlan3981]

Fake stocks

[@guidedbygreen1480]

CVD is no good, takes too long to grow

[@paulstandaert5709]

As long as the batteries can last as long as an engine/transmission can and/or get much cheaper, then it sounds great to me.

[@Danielhalvorsen1993]

Invest in REC Silicon. Currently in process of reopening their silicon plant in Moses Lake. Sila and group14 building plants next door and Hanwha already wanting 100% offtake. Expansion supported by IRA probably incoming as well.

[@kinngrimm]

When these batteries are worn out, what about the capabilities to recycle them?

[@lotoex]

Very easy. It's silicone not lead. It's a non toxic metal.

[@kinngrimm]

@@lotoex So silicon can be collected and simply reused? What about lithium?

[@beatreuteler]

@@kinngrimm Lithium can be recycled as well.

[@kinngrimm]

@@beatreuteler So only its first production is not good for the environment. If we give it new lifecycles that would therefor reduce that issue.

[@beatreuteler]

@@kinngrimm Correct. I do think with 8 billion people on earth we need to move towards cycling economies in almost everything we do. Just today I heard in the news that the G7-countries agreed to move towards 100% recycling in plastics materials. This seem to imply a ban on hard or not to recycle plastic materials in favor of such who are easier to recycle. A tough decision given the fact there are a few 1000 different plastic materials out there, but the right one imo.

[@JayBirdPhotos]

So 1 year ago CNBC did a story about the major shortage of sand... specifically the kind needed for silicon. The shortage will impact chip production which is reliant on silicon. Fast forward to today and CNBC does this story on the breakthrough of silicon batteries but no mention of where the silicon will come from considering the major shortage of the sand needed for silicon. How is this silicon battery going to do us any good other than to rely on yet another material for which we already experience a shortage of and which the mining of will have bigger environmental impacts that many current technologies. AND let's not forget the mention that China has the market for production of silicon... and lithium! Wake up people! China is about to literally control the world as they manufacture everything the world uses and can control markets with how much they produce just as OPEC nations control oil.

[@saulgoodman2018]

All of those "shortages" where scare tactics.

[@b469b]

Off grid solar with an ebike give them nothing over time($ over time for everything everywhere not me though) only buy upfront. I would rather give my money to some small things vs big energy(or big anything for that matter) on either side(or either political isle).

[@JayBirdPhotos]

@@b469b Define "big energy" .. because if you blink China will become The Energy controlling the minerals that make up the new type of energy. Although ... charging those batteries will still take the current energy as solar certainly won't be able to do it now or in the future. We simply don't have enough land mass or sunshine filled days to convert to solar, wind or hydro alternates to energy to keep that supposed trillion dollar battery market charging.

[@beatreuteler]

Jay A, it seems you didn't watch the video. These silicon Anode materials do not seem to use the same quality silicon as the chip market (ingot quality). It says it can be mined in any country in the world.

[@JayBirdPhotos]

@@beatreuteler go watch the video from a year ago. Also watch the end of the video. Yes it can be mined but only from certain areas and China basically has the corner on the market by leaps and bounds.

[@thesilentone4024]

And for big grid batteries for cities well sand and salt and or iron batteries can be used because it will never move mass doesn't matter. But for cars yes lighter can be better but only if it doesn't eat into the batteries life and how long it can hold/discharge the same or better then the ones now.

[@therealcnn5346]

We have talked about this forever It’s always cool stuff but we ain’t there yet

[@tomkelly8827]

As a Canadian, I would say that other than range and longevity, my concern is about how well it does in -40 C. I know my lithium batteries do not like that kind of cold and neither do my lead acid batteries. Maybe these will be better? Certainly airplanes have this issue as well at very high altitudes so perhaps this issue is solved but I would like to hear more about it

[@demef758]

You bring up a good point. If they think that expansion and contraction of their battery is problematic in the lab, wait until it has to sit outdoors in a Canadian winter or a Las Vegas summer.

[@DarthObscurity]

Try a deep cycle or marine battery and you won't have issues anymore. It's all about the price. As much as a majority of us think it should be illegal, they are still allowed to sell things like this where they aren't effective and it's bullcrap because most people don't understand.

[@desiv1170]

An EV battery breakthrough announced? Wow... It must be a day that ends in Y... That only happens on days that end in Y... ;-)

[@rebeccadubois8270]

Keep your horse and carriage while the rest of us have stupid fast acceleration

[@desiv1170]

@@rebeccadubois8270 I own an EV... ;-) Love it. Doesn't mean I can't poke fun at this type of news. ;-) Relax, not everyone is the enemy.

[@calicoesblue4703]

@@rebeccadubois8270 Cry me a River😭😭😭 🤣🤣🤣

[@colin_a]

This sounds wonderful!.. Could someone give me a bell when they are ready...🤓. You may want to give Tesla, BMW, Merc and Apple a bell too, as I have a feeling they will be "over the moon" about this break thru...

[@ajr993]

What about just not using cars that need so much range? 100 miles is enough for 90% of people. Just use smaller batteries

[@wasco1989]

Or just robust pubic transformation for 90% of people and leaving easy travel for those that actually need a car to get to work. (Construction workers, etc)

[@sayrith]

*public transportation

[@StayPositiveLLC]

@@sayrith I'm sure it realizes that it typed a typo and just ran with it lol.

[@DragonfireRC]

The extra range is useful in cold and hot weather, or for towing. At 5 degrees F you will lose 54 percent of your range, at 20 degrees F you will lose 41 percent of your range. So, if you only have 100 miles with a new battery then you would only have a real range of 46 miles at 5 degrees F, and 59 miles of range at 20 degrees F. That is clearly not enough battery capacity for winter driving. Not as bad in the summer at 95 degrees F you will lose 17 percent of your range leaving you with 83 miles of range. Also you lose about 2 percent of range per year on the battery, so after 10 years you are down to 80 miles of range in ideal conditions. If your car had a 300 mile range, then after 10 years you would still have 240 miles of range available, so still useful, and of course your winter and summer driving are more feasible with much higher available range.

[@kcgunesq]

It is enough for most people on most days. So for example, it could get me to work and back just fine. But: 1. What if i can't charge fast enough so that each day I have less and less total range available. Overnight charging at home may not be fast enough without upgrades to the electrical system that will be more than we've seen in the last 100 years. 2. What about the weekend when I need to drive my kids to a baseball game 60 miles away? Or when i want to visit my parents 120 miles away in a small town where there are virtually no chargers? Sure, the wealthy will do as they do today and simply own another car for that use. But that's not really environmentally friendly to expect every couple to own at least three cars.

[@glennr9913]

How does Silicon compare to Graphene?

[@beatreuteler]

Graphene is a carbon based atomic layer sheet while silicon is a different chemical element.

[@glennr9913]

@@beatreuteler I meant how do they compare for use in rechargeable batteries?

[@beatreuteler]

@@glennr9913 OK. The video explains that it takes 24 times less silicon atoms than Atoms in Graphite to get the same amount of Lithium Ions attracted on the Anode. While I don't know how Graphene is attracting Lithium Ions I do know that Graphene consists of carbon as well as Graphite does. Having said this, there is a good chance Silicon shows the same advantage over Graphene as it shows over Garaphite. I hope it helps.

[@glennr9913]

@@beatreuteler It's good to know that there are a lot of smart folks working on it. We are living in an exciting age of technical achievements.

[@beatreuteler]

@@glennr9913 This couldn't be any more true, Glenn. Thanks to the fact I'm professionally involved in coating technology, (which is used in litterally every Battery tech as well as fuel cell tech) I come across quite a lot of people who do exactly what you mean.

[@halicon7475]

why it's important to support current technology to help further this motivation

[@richardparnell8402]

I will believe it when I see it. How many times since the lithium have we heard t20-40% more power? I've lost track.

[@truepersona6804]

Wow !!!

[@greghelton4668]

Not sure if they solved the expansion problem. Furthermore those batteries are probably still susceptible to dendrite formation. I’m skeptical.

[@ThunderTiger0801]

Every now and then there is a new video about a breakthrough battery technology yet nothing changes in the real world

[@danielcarroll3358]

A lot can be done-and a lot has been done-to make a better lithium-ion battery. In fact, gains in the amount of energy they can store have been on the order of five percent per year. That means that the capacity of your current batteries is over 1.5 times what they would have held a decade ago. Has the mileage of your dinojuice sucker improved 50% in the last 10 years.

[@huckleberryfinn6578]

Nothing has happened in the real world? Batteries have dropped in price 10 times in the last 10 years, and energy density has increased by up to 100%. Not to mention the charging possibilities of up to 350 kW. The first Supercharger worked with up to 90 kW.

[@SasukeUchiha-zu6dw]

That's great and all but in your opinion when do you think we will match gas in range and fill up time? Because that's what it is going to take to get a bunch of people to switch.

[@ThunderTiger0801]

@@danielcarroll3358 Yeah bro you proved my point. Lithium Ion batteries got better but these breakthrough technologies that are talked about like every 2 years somehow dont get implemented in the real world. 50% maybe not but ICE also got more efficient over last years. Unfortunately though cars also got bigger and heavier cause thats more profitable for the manufactureres

[@beatreuteler]

@@ThunderTiger0801 ICE didn't get any more efficient in recent years. ICE is a mature technology without much potential left. Not so battery tech.

[@royromano9792]

In this video they talked about the theoretical advantages of silicone anode-based batteries. Then the video goes on to describe a company that is building a silicone anode-based battery. But gives no details as to the efficiencies of their batteries that they are producing. This sounds like nonsense to me.

[@sn5301679]

Either is a secret or not a production ready yet. I think the base theory already on the scientific and engineering journals.

[@stoneglad]

It’s already in production! Sila Nanotechnologies has it in commercially available fitness trackers and soon it will also be in Mercedes Benz electric vehicles! Currently looking at 20 to 30 times more energy density and times in between charges then Li Ion Batteries and this is just the beginning!

[@beatreuteler]

Look at the video once more. You will recognize that the companies described in the video are not making any batteries. That is why they can't tell you anything about lifetime, efficiency etc. etc. These companies are making anode materials and sell it to battery makers like ATL. Only ATL (as soon as they start making batteries based on such anode) will be capable of testing and telling these key performance parameters.

[@fdk7014]

Super exciting! A 50% jump in energy density at the same cost or lower would be huge! Then we are getting closer to EVs at sensible prices (and thereby a complete conversion away from fossil fuel cars) and electric flight longer than short jumps.

[@lookman7047]

Holding a lot of charge is one thing. Being able to hold the same amount of charge for a long long time is another thing. Sadly, that's the problem of a battery regardless of the technology. 🤔 Anyone who has a mobile phone sure realize this. How the battery life seem to go down with age. What used to be a full day becomes half a day, and even less!😅 Lastly, let's hope theses batteries are properly disposed, better yet recycled. As most batteries in third world countries end up in landfills!😓

[@beatreuteler]

Relax. The typical Li-Polymer batteries mobile phones are powered with, have a typically high zero load discharge rate. Batteries made for EV's typically don't. (LFP etc). There's no word about this in the video, I think but I would hope this one is up to par. If not, it won't be EV-ready.

[@spicychad55]

we really need to get away from anything with silicon. the sand that's used to make silicon is getting increasingly scarce, no one really talks about it.

[@MrArtist7777]

What kind of cycle life are the Amprius batteries realizing? Wonderful, if they work.

[@exMuteKid]

But they’re still lithium ion batteries, just with a more space efficient anode. and they will be more expensive too since graphite is dirt cheap but silicon costs money to produce from the diminishing global supplies of sand suitable for silicon production, and the semiconductor industry is already a major consumer in that sector.

[@beatreuteler]

I think it doesn't require the quality the semi market requires.

[@DarthObscurity]

"Sand suitable for silicon production" = "Sand with greatest return on investment for silicon" All sand is suitable for silicon production. All. Of. It. You just get less from some types then others.

[@Wingly113]

Silicon anode batteries offer several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, including higher energy density and longer cycle life. However, there are also some disadvantages associated with these batteries: Volume expansion: Silicon anodes can expand up to four times their original size during charging, which can cause mechanical stress and damage to the battery. This can lead to reduced cycle life and lower overall performance. Electrolyte breakdown: The high reactivity of silicon can cause the breakdown of the electrolyte, which is the liquid or gel substance that conducts ions between the cathode and anode in a battery. This can lead to reduced battery performance and safety issues. Cost: Silicon is more expensive than other materials commonly used in battery anodes, which can make silicon anode batteries more expensive to produce. Manufacturing challenges: The manufacturing process for silicon anode batteries is more complex than for traditional lithium-ion batteries, which can lead to production challenges and increased costs. Overall, while silicon anode batteries offer many advantages, they are still in the research and development phase, and further work is needed to overcome the associated disadvantages and bring them to commercial scale. ChatGPT

[@calicoesblue4703]

Facts😎👍

[@BrianMartensOfficial]

which is it, ChatGPT, longer or shorter cycle life?

[@beatreuteler]

I expected more of ChatGPT

[@singledadsurrogacy-willdavlin]

Synthetic fuel or something has to be the future

[@calicoesblue4703]

That actually sounds like a good idea.

[@bm5298]

you should really cover the solid state battery as invented by John B. Goodenough. No one is singing the praises of this genius.

[@radeo80]

Are they public yet? Do they have stock? And if they do what's the ticker symbol?

[@auro1986]

how to find silicon mines and how to mine silicon there?

[@iamjoehill]

Come on Sodium! We've got that everywhere!

[@Guzmania]

You would think the priority would be longer range, but instead the priorty would be lowering the cost with smaller battery.

[@babafoods]

Adding Acacia Vera particles may reduce with the expansion of the silicone and protect the battery from cracking.

[@delvaldog2869]

Let’s do it a revolutionize our future. Long lasting sustainable future. We have no excuse for all us not to be happy. We in a modern world living off of old methods

[@hellawolf]

I will believe this breakthrough when i have this technology in my phone. Otherwise, we all have heard plenty of exciting battery breakthroughs that never made it to consumers tech.

[@Fieldsherbert]

Envx is the gem of this sector.

[@pinecedar180]

So finally a viable battery tech that we're gonna see being used? Maybe

[@sunroad7228]

"No system of energy can deliver sum useful energy in excess of the total energy put into constructing it. This universal truth applies to all systems. Energy, like time, flows from past to future".

[@beatreuteler]

Who said this? You? Or is it citing a greek philosopher? If the latter this one didn't know energy storage.

[@raimundovicuna]

An interesting review of silicon anode batteries, but seriously runs short on what´s going on. Theres also a silicion anode battery manufacturer that runs by the name of ENOVIX, and are running into actual production at a larger scale on year 2024. In late 2023 they will be supplying the US ARMY with their batteries, which have been positively tested for military use: a highly demanding application.🙂

[@Mr.DMZ.]

Exciting

[@abhijith..]

future doesn't look bleak, very promising indeed.

[@devroombagchus7460]

I only heard pep talk. The future is going to be all roses, of course.