‘Cold’ Method Advances Next-Generation Battery Production
The cold sintering process involves placing a small amount of powdered material into the system’s center, then applying heat, pressure, and a liquid solvent to create a dense bulk material for use in SSEs. (Photo: Hongtao Sun)
April 24, 2025 – Lithium-ion batteries have long been essential for powering devices, but their liquid electrolytes pose fire and safety risks due to their instability. Now, researchers at Penn State are developing a safer, more reliable energy storage solution for laptops, phones, and electric vehicles: solid-state electrolytes (SSEs).
Led by assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering Hongtao Sun, the team employed a technique called cold sintering. This process heats powdered materials at lower temperatures, treats them with a liquid solvent, and compresses them into a dense, highly conductive ceramic-polymer composite (LATP-PILG). The process is termed “cold” because it operates at significantly lower temperatures than traditional sintering methods, which rely on higher heat, applied pressure, and minimal solvent.
The study was published in Materials Today Energy under the title “Probing Cold Sintering-Regulated Interfaces and Integration of Polymer-in-Ceramic Solid-State Electrolytes.”
