Silicon-Anode Batteries: More Energy, More Risk

Higher capacity silicon-anode lithium-ion batteries make data-driven insights more important than ever

The world is demanding more powerful, longer-lasting batteries for electronics and vehicles. Many new battery technologies and chemistries are rising to the challenge, from sodium-ion to solid state to lithium-ion batteries with silicon anodes - the market for which is projected to grow by more than 60% over the next 10 years.

The momentum behind silicon-anode batteries is in large part driven by their ability to store more energy than lithium-ion batteries of equivalent mass and volume. However, their increased energy density could also pose new, different, and potentially more dangerous risks in the event of a failure.

While many startup companies and major manufacturers are ramping up silicon anode production, ensuring these batteries can hold up to real-world use is paramount. Gaining and maintaining market share for this emerging technology will take special focus on developing effective safety, reliability, and long-term performance testing.

Capturing benefits, managing risks

Lithium-ion battery chemistry has remained relatively unchanged for decades. In a lithium-ion battery, lithium ions flow between the graphite anode and the transition metal oxide cathode. Graphite is a configuration of carbon atoms in an intricate yet durable honeycomb structure that is resistant to swelling and physical damage, resulting in an anode that is strong and relatively stable during use. This durability is why graphite has been used in commercial lithium-ion batteries since the 1980s.

However, graphite can only hold so many lithium ions: it takes six carbon atoms in a graphite configuration to hold a single lithium ion, which limits the overall energy density of lithium-ion batteries.