Next-generation polymer lithium battery: Samsung SDI's breakthrough

LiquidatorFlash · 2026-02-27T07:13:34+00:00

Samsung SDI has made significant advancements in lithium-metal batteries by developing a polymer electrolyte with Columbia University. This innovation addresses dendrite formation challenges, dramatically improving battery performance and energy density, while efforts continue to enhance cycle longevity for commercial viability.

LiquidatorFlash

2026-02-27 07:13:34

Abstract generation in progress

Samsung SDI, a leading South Korean battery manufacturer, has announced significant progress in the development of lithium-metal batteries that could revolutionize the energy sector. The company, in partnership with prestigious Columbia University, has developed an innovative solution aimed at overcoming key barriers that have long hindered the mass adoption of this technology. According to data from Jin10, this involves creating a fluorine-based polymer electrolyte that dramatically improves battery performance.

Polymer Electrolyte Against Dendrites: Solving a Technical Challenge

The main challenge in developing lithium-metal batteries has been the formation of dendrites—needle-like crystalline structures that form on the anode surface and lead to battery degradation and potential safety issues. Samsung SDI’s new polymer electrolyte effectively suppresses this process thanks to its molecular structure. This achievement addresses one of the main reasons why lithium-metal systems remain a niche technology despite their outstanding potential.

Energy Performance: Polymer Battery Outperforms Traditional Systems

The developed polymer lithium-metal battery demonstrates a record-high energy density, exceeding traditional lithium-ion batteries with NCA cathodes by more than 1.6 times. This means that, all other conditions being equal, a device with such a battery could operate significantly longer or be much lighter. However, before full commercialization, the solution must overcome a critical barrier: the number of charge-discharge cycles remains limited (usually a few dozen cycles), making such batteries unsuitable for mass production of electric vehicles and portable electronics.

Path to Mass Production of Polymer Batteries

Despite current limitations, the breakthrough brings the new type of polymer battery significantly closer to commercial reality. Samsung SDI is already working on obtaining more durable prototypes, which will form the basis for the next generation of batteries. The prospect of overcoming the cycling issues of lithium-metal batteries makes this polymer approach one of the most promising directions in the energy storage industry for the coming decade.

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