Samsung engineers (a division of Samsung Electro-Mechanics) have created the world’s first small-sized solid-state battery designed for use in consumer electronics. According to the source, the development of the miniature battery took three years. The ultra-small solid-state battery boasts an energy storage density of 200 Wh/L, which is higher than that of lithium-ion batteries.
According to available data, Samsung’s new small-sized battery is currently undergoing testing, in which some of the South Korean company’s partners are participating. If everything goes according to plan, mass production of such batteries will begin in 2026. It is expected that the first wearable device with a solid-state battery will be the Samsung Galaxy Watch.
The new battery beats its lithium-ion counterparts not only in energy storage density. Such batteries can be manufactured in sizes from millimeters to centimeters, depending on the customer’s needs, and can also be of any shape. Solid-state batteries are more resistant to external influences, in particular shocks, since they use a non-flammable solid electrolyte.
Samsung said that it was possible to create a miniature solid-state battery thanks to its proprietary technology for the production of multilayer ceramic capacitors. With its help, you can alternately print thin layers of materials and stack them on top of each other. This approach avoids wrinkling, which is common in lithium-ion batteries, and also ensures minimal changes to the battery’s dimensions during charging, eliminating the need for additional space.
Solid-state batteries are also easily stretchable and have high flexibility, increased thermal stability and a longer service life compared to traditional batteries. They also claim to have a lower carbon footprint. With improved safety and high energy storage density, these batteries can operate efficiently over a wide temperature range.
However, solid-state batteries are not without their drawbacks. One of the main ones is the high cost of production. According to the source, several companies are currently working to reduce the cost of the solid-state battery production process.