All-Solid-State Batteries
A Safer, Longer-Lasting Energy Solution
Unlike conventional batteries, all-solid-state batteries do not use a liquid electrolyte. This makes them inherently safer, more reliable, and longer-lasting than many existing technologies.
At the forefront of next-generation solutions, Maxell is focusing on the development and mass production of sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. These batteries combine high output and high capacity, building on decades of expertise in battery design, development, and manufacturing, the very foundation of our business.
From Volta’s Invention to Today’s Solid-State Innovation
The history of batteries began around 1800, when Alessandro Volta created the voltaic cell by combining two metals to generate high voltage. Over time, various chemistries and designs were developed to improve performance and reliability.
When batteries were first introduced to Japan in the 19th century, early designs suffered from electrolyte leakage. The invention of the dry-cell battery solved this issue, and Japan quickly became a leader in innovation. A unique Japanese contribution was the use of carbon rods in dry-cell structures – a design that attracted global recognition and shaped the modern dry-cell battery.
As a result, Japan established itself as one of the world’s key centres for battery development and manufacturing.
Maxell’s Milestones
- 1963 – Maxell successfully produced Japan’s first alkaline battery, setting new standards for performance and reliability.
- Since then, Maxell has continued to expand its expertise across primary batteries (single-use) and rechargeable batteries (reusable).
But despite these advances, one crucial question remains: Why do we need all-solid-state batteries today?
Why All-Solid-State Batteries?
A chemical battery stores energy in the form of chemical reactions, which are then converted into electrical energy. All chemical batteries share three main components:
- Positive electrode (cathode)
- Negative electrode (anode)
- Electrolyte
Traditionally, electrolytes are in liquid form, whether in single-use primary batteries or in rechargeable ones. However, replacing the liquid with a solid electrolyte eliminates the risk of leakage, improves safety, and unlocks new potential for high-capacity, high-performance applications.
This is the promise of all-solid-state battery technology, a safer, more sustainable energy solution for the future.
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Advantages and Limitations
Today, the most widely used rechargeable batteries are lithium-ion batteries.
These batteries consist of four main components:
- Positive electrode (cathode) – made from a lithium-containing metal compound
- Negative electrode (anode) – typically graphite, which stores lithium ions
- Separator – keeping the electrodes apart
- Liquid electrolyte – enabling the movement of lithium ions
During charging and discharging, lithium ions and electrons move back and forth between the positive and negative electrodes, storing and releasing energy as needed.
Strengths of Lithium-Ion Technology
Lithium-ion batteries have become essential in modern life because they:
- Can be miniaturised, making them ideal for portable electronics
- Operate reliably across a wide temperature range (–20 °C to +60 °C)
- Withstand many charge and discharge cycles with minimal performance loss
- Deliver high current and voltage, powerful enough to drive smartphones, laptops, and even electric vehicles
Safety Challenges
Despite these advantages, lithium-ion batteries also have a critical weakness: their liquid electrolyte often contains highly flammable organic solvents. Under certain conditions, this can lead to overheating, smoke, or even ignition, a significant safety concern, especially in demanding applications.
The Solid-State Alternative
Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid electrolytes can address these issues. In fact, the first commercial solid-electrolyte battery, the lithium-iodine battery has been used safely and reliably in cardiac pacemakers, where safety and long life are paramount.
While its application has been limited, the concept shows clear potential:
- High safety: no flammable solvents
- Long-term reliability: stable performance over time
- Improved thermal resistance: up to 100 °C
- Extended battery life
This is the promise of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries: combining the performance benefits of lithium-ion technology with the safety and durability of solid electrolytes – paving the way for safer energy storage in both consumer devices and large-scale mobility solutions.
Comparing Battery Technologies
There are several types of all-solid-state batteries, each defined by the kind of solid electrolyte they use. Today, the most common are sulfide-based and oxide-based electrolytes, each with distinct advantages and challenges. Battery manufacturers continue to refine these technologies, leveraging their strengths to create more reliable and efficient products.
| Item | Maxell all-solid-state batteries | Sulfide-based solid-state batteries | Oxide-based solid-state batteries | Typical lithium-ion battries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ion Conductivity | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★ | ★★ |
| Chemical Stability | ★★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Mass Production Feasibility | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ | ★★ |
While sulfide-based electrolytes offer excellent ionic conductivity, researchers are working to improve their stability and water resistance. In contrast, oxide-based electrolytes are highly stable but require improvements in ion conductivity. More recently, chloride-based electrolytes have attracted attention for their promising conductivity performance.
The Advantages of Maxell’s Technology
Maxell’s sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries offer a unique balance of performance and manufacturability:
- No high-temperature sintering required: unlike oxide-based batteries, enabling cost-effective large-scale production
- High output and high capacity*: ideal for demanding applications
- Argyrodite-type solid electrolyte: providing an outstanding balance of conductivity, stability, and processability among sulfide-based electrolytes
- Long-term reliability: resistance growth is effectively suppressed, maintaining discharge performance even after extended cycles or storage
These qualities make Maxell’s batteries especially suitable for applications requiring high power and durability, such as sensors, IoT devices, and wireless communications.
Ceramic-Packaged All-Solid-State Batteries
Drawing on decades of expertise in lithium-ion and micro batteries, Maxell is now producing ceramic-packaged all-solid-state batteries in Japan. By combining core analogue technologies:
- Mixing & Dispersion,
- Fine Coating, and
- High-Precision Moulding & Forming –
with newly developed process innovations and collaborations, Maxell is delivering batteries that are both high-performance and highly reliable.
Mass production is enabled by leveraging the company’s established factories, advanced equipment, and deep know-how in battery manufacturing.
With these advances, Maxell is driving the transition from conventional lithium-ion technology towards next-generation solid-state energy solutions.
To learn more visit ceramic packaged all-solid-state batteries page.
Where Maxell’s All-Solid-State Batteries Excel
Maxell’s all-solid-state batteries are compact, next-generation power sources that combine three essential features:
- Safety*
- Strong performance (long life, high capacity, and output)
- Outstanding heat resistance
These qualities make them particularly valuable in areas where conventional lithium-ion batteries fall short, and where primary (single-use) batteries have traditionally been used. By addressing issues of safety, reliability, and sustainability, Maxell’s technology helps respond to wider social challenges such as an ageing population, a shrinking workforce, and environmental conservation.
Key Application Areas
Factory Automation (FA)
In industrial settings, especially in robotics and automation, batteries are exposed to demanding conditions such as rotating joints and high operating temperatures. Maxell’s all-solid-state batteries can withstand these stresses, reducing maintenance frequency and extending operational uptime.
Medical Devices
Many medical instruments require sterilisation in autoclaves, where conventional batteries cannot survive high heat. Maxell’s heat-resistant solid-state batteries make it possible to sterilise both device and battery simultaneously, ensuring hygiene without compromising functionality. This is particularly important in environments where safety and sterility are critical.
Wearable Devices & Health Monitoring
As wearable healthcare sensors become more common with ageing populations, battery safety in close contact with the body is vital. Maxell’s batteries offer the safety, reliability, and durability required for next-generation biometric and medical wearables.
Added Value Through Innovation
With their small size, high power, safety, long cycle life, and resistance to high temperatures*, Maxell’s all-solid-state batteries provide a significant advantage over conventional solutions. They enable devices to operate more reliably, last longer, and perform better in challenging environments, while supporting a more sustainable and safer future.
Powering the Future of Mobility
As vehicles advance towards autonomous driving, the demand for reliable energy solutions grows rapidly. The expansion of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and EVs (Electric Vehicles) requires a growing number of sensors throughout the vehicle.
To ensure safety, small emergency backup batteries are expected to be installed in many locations, including the car body, doors, and seats to keep sensors functioning even if the main power supply is disrupted in an accident.
Another key application is tyre condition monitoring. Until now, primary batteries were typically used due to charging limitations. However, as vehicles require more sensing data, there is a clear need for rechargeable batteries with higher capacity and durability that can withstand harsh environments.
Maxell’s Solution
Maxell is actively developing technologies for these applications, combining energy harvesting systems (which convert natural energy into electricity) with all-solid-state batteries. This approach enables sensors and systems to operate more sustainably and reliably.
For more information about our All-Solid-State Batteries
All-Solid-State Battery Range
- Ensures heat resistance and airtightness with a ceramic package housing.
- Mountable on a circuit board by reflow soldering.
- Capacity enhancement achieved by connecting ceramic-packaged all-solid-state batteries in parallel.
- Suitable for power backup for industrial equipment and a wide range of applications.
- Supports applications requiring high output and capacity, such as infrastructure monitoring and sensing.