Koike of Japan and the Japan National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have come up with a single-crystal material that could be used as an electrolyte in solid-state batteries.

The company will soon begin sampling battery manufacturers, with production envisaged in 2027/28.

When used for a battery electrolyte the new material material is claimed to reduce electrical resistance by nine-tenths.

To prevent degradation, a liquid is applied to the electrodes, making the battery a type of “semisolid-state” battery that uses both solids and liquids.

Used in such a battery in a pacemaker, the material could extend pacemakers’ battery life from 10-15 to 50 years.

Koike makes monocrystalline wafers and has developed  monocrystals with a diameter of 25mm for batteries.