Factorial Inc. has launched its newest battery, Solstice™. It’s an all-solid-state battery designed to enhance the safety, performance, and sustainability of the next generation of electric vehicles.
The company reports that Solstice™ achieves an energy density of up to 450Wh/kg and incorporates a novel dry cathode design for more efficient and sustainable production. Solstice™ complements Factorial’s FEST® (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) for automotive and other electric mobility applications while expanding Factorial’s market to include consumer electronics. Solstice™ was developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz as part of their ongoing partnership.
The company also says that Solstice™ enables high performance and safety for electric mobility and expects the technology to be introduced by OEMs before the end of the decade. Solstice™’s high energy density can extend EV range up to 80%, significantly reduce vehicle weight, and increase vehicle efficiency. Its sulfide-based all-solid-state electrolyte system addresses safety concerns associated with more flammable and volatile liquid electrolyte designs, targeting a EUCAR safety rating of 2 and maintaining stability at operating temperatures over 90°C. This also has the potential to reduce the cooling system requirements within the battery pack, lowering overall vehicle cost.
Factorial added that Solstice™ is poised to revolutionize battery manufacturing by significantly enhancing sustainability. Through a novel dry coating process, Solstice™ eliminates the need for hazardous solvents and energy-intensive steps commonly used in traditional cathode production. The technology also bypasses the formation process, the most energy-consuming stage of lithium-ion battery manufacturing. By combining these innovations, Solstice™ reduces operating costs, energy consumption, and environmental impact, paving the way for a more sustainable future for battery production.
This announcement follows Factorial’s delivery of B-samples of its solid-state battery cells utilizing its FEST® platform to Mercedes-Benz, an instrumental step in the development and deployment of Factorial’s solid-state batteries utilizing FEST®, paving the way for Solstice™ and the next generation of EVs. Mercedes-Benz entered into a joint development agreement with Factorial in 2021 and led a $200MM investment round for Factorial in 2022.
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