In the future, let this battery have a bright future.

my country's lithium battery industry has achieved remarkable development and has an important position in the global market. However, the lithium battery industry still faces a lot of challenges, including the sharp fluctuations in raw material prices in the supply chain, insufficient links between upstream and downstream industries, and unfair market competition.

In response to these challenges, the Chinese government has begun to take a series of measures, such as promoting coordinated development within the industry, strengthening production capacity and investment supervision, and improving product quality supervision, to ensure the healthy and stable development of the lithium battery industry. At present, there are three main factors that can determine the high-quality development of the lithium battery industry:

The development of positive electrode materials is the core of improving battery performance

In the current lithium-ion battery industry, the innovation and development of cathode materials is the core of improving battery performance. Cathode materials directly affect the energy density, safety, cycle life and low-temperature performance of batteries, and therefore have become a hot topic in battery technology research.

Ternary materials (such as NCM and NCA) and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) are the most mainstream cathode materials on the market. Ternary materials are widely used in high-end electric vehicles due to their high energy density, while lithium iron phosphate is suitable for the mid- and low-end markets and energy storage fields due to its cost advantage and high safety.

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With the continuous advancement of technology, the development of positive electrode materials is mainly focused on increasing energy density, improving safety performance and extending battery life. For example, high-nickel ternary positive electrode materials increase energy density by increasing nickel content while reducing cobalt content to reduce cost and environmental impact. However, this also leads to poor electrode structure stability and thermal stability, and reduced battery cycle stability. Therefore, further material innovation and process improvement are needed to ensure its safety and long-term reliability.

The innovation of cathode materials is crucial to the development of the lithium-ion battery industry. It is not only related to the improvement of battery performance, but also affects the market competitiveness and sustainable development of the entire industry. With the continuous emergence of new materials and new technologies, the performance of lithium-ion batteries will continue to be optimized and improved.

Innovation of patented technology is the key to promoting industry development

The development of the lithium-ion battery industry is driven by both material technology progress and patent technology innovation. In recent years, with the rapid development of the new energy vehicle market, the demand for lithium-ion battery technology has entered a new peak period. Major battery manufacturers have increased their R&D investment and competed to take the lead in battery performance, safety, cost and patent technology.

Patent data shows that patent activity in batteries and other power storage technologies grew at an average annual rate of 14% from 2005 to 2018, four times the average for all technology sectors. This growth was driven primarily by advances in rechargeable lithium-ion battery technology, particularly in consumer electronics and new energy vehicles.

The demand for electric mobility has prompted the development of high-performance lithium-ion technology to improve the battery's energy density, service life, charge and discharge speed, and low-temperature performance. In addition, in order to better integrate renewable energy such as wind and solar power into the power grid, it has also promoted the advancement of energy storage battery technology.

The working principle of the lithium-ion battery discharge and charging process Source: studiousguy.com

In the patent field, the number of patent applications for solid-state lithium-ion batteries continues to increase: solid-state lithium-ion batteries are considered to be the mainstream development direction in the future because they have advantages in safety, energy density and wide temperature range operation.

According to public patent application data, there are nearly 1,900 patent applications for solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Since 2020, the number of patent applications for solid-state lithium-ion batteries has exceeded 1,000, accounting for more than 50%. The average annual number of applications remains between 250-300, and shows an increasing trend year by year.

The development of the lithium-ion battery industry relies on continuous innovation in materials and processes. Innovation in patented technologies plays a key role in this process, which not only promotes technological progress, but also provides support for companies to ensure their leading position in an increasingly competitive market. As market and technology needs evolve, this innovation activity is expected to continue to accelerate.

Optimizing talent layout is a strategy for sustainable development

my country's lithium battery industry is in a stage of rapid development, so talent deployment is crucial. Some strategies for talent deployment in China for lithium batteries and other materials sciences:

1

Scientific and technological achievements drive productivity

Enterprises should carry out research and development closely around new technologies, new materials and new products to create high-quality products and advanced technologies. This will not only improve market competitiveness, but is also the key to attracting and retaining talent.

2

Introducing and cultivating top talents

Enterprises should actively introduce high-end talents and cultivate local talents. Some pioneers in the domestic battery industry have successfully introduced a number of domestic and foreign experts, setting an example for battery companies.

3

Establish talent training and evaluation mechanism

Plan and sort out relevant positions in the lithium battery industry, classify and formulate talent standards in the fields of lithium batteries and other materials, and establish a standardized talent training and evaluation mechanism to ensure the quality of talent.

4

Retaining Talent

We provide a good talent environment, starting from the two aspects of employee development and solving employees' worries. We provide protection and resources for talents with an open and inclusive attitude.

In short, a healthy organization can not only attract talents, but also cultivate talents and help enterprises achieve high-quality and sustainable development.

How should our country plan for future development trends?

Although China has an advantage in the development of the lithium battery industry, how to maintain market stability and avoid overcapacity while promoting sustained and rapid growth in the industry has become an important issue that requires careful consideration.

As technology continues to advance and market demand changes, research and development in the lithium battery field are focusing on several key trends that predict the future development direction of lithium battery technology:

1

Enhance battery performance

In the future, lithium batteries will continue to develop towards higher energy density, longer service life and faster charging speed. This needs to be achieved through the development of new materials and innovation of battery structure.

2

Improved safety

Safety will continue to be a core consideration in the development of lithium battery technology. Researchers are developing new battery management and monitoring systems as well as built-in protection mechanisms to prevent problems such as overcharging, overheating and short circuits. In addition, potential safety risks can be further reduced by improving battery materials and structural design.

3

Reduce costs

In order for lithium battery technology to be more widely used in a variety of fields, it is necessary to reduce costs. This can be achieved by improving production efficiency, adopting lower-cost raw materials, and optimizing battery recycling and reuse processes. Cost reduction will help accelerate the popularization of electric vehicles and the deployment of renewable energy systems.

4

Environmentally friendly technology

As the world pays more attention to environmental protection and sustainable development, it is becoming increasingly important to develop more environmentally friendly lithium battery technology. This includes using more sustainable or degradable materials to produce batteries, improving the recyclability of batteries, and developing more efficient recycling technologies to reduce environmental impact.

Conclusion

As the global demand for sustainable energy continues to grow, continued research and innovation play a vital role in driving the advancement of energy technology. As an important part of current energy solutions, the development and improvement of lithium battery technology is the key to achieving a more efficient, safer and more environmentally friendly energy system. By continuously optimizing battery performance, improving safety standards, reducing production costs, and minimizing environmental impact, we can ensure that lithium battery technology continues to play a core role in the future energy landscape.

Therefore, in order to achieve global sustainable development goals, we must continue to invest in the research and innovation of energy technologies such as lithium batteries to continuously explore and unlock more potential. Such efforts will not only promote technological progress, but also promote economic growth and environmental protection, creating a greener and more sustainable world for future generations.

Planning and production

Author: Denovo Team Science Team

Reviewer: Shi Haodong, Associate Researcher, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Planning丨Ding Zong

Editor: Ding Zong