Critical Resources (ASX:CRR) solid-state battery program advances to full-format pouch cells

Critical Resources has progressed its solid-state lithium-ion battery evaluation program to full-format pouch cell construction following earlier coin-cell testing, with the DSD-deposited cathode now incorporated into a complete working cell and electrochemical testing underway at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology within the US National Science Foundation supported Centre for Solid-State Electric Power Storage.

Highlights

• DSD-deposited cathode advanced from coin cells into full-format pouch cells
• Pouch cells built following deposition of a complete composite battery layer
• DSD cathode composite includes lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) and carbon nanotube network
• Liquid electrolyte used as baseline reference material
• Formation cycling underway at 0.05C during initial conditioning
• Coin-cell and pouch-cell electrochemical testing ongoing
• ASE thin-film solid-state electrolyte deposition now underway
• Program conducted at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology within NSF supported CEPS
• Strategy focused on licensing battery materials and manufacturing intellectual property rather than cell manufacturing

The Company reports that the move from coin cells to full-format pouch cells represents a defined scale-up step within the evaluation program, where coin cells establish baseline electrochemical behaviour and pouch cells are used to assess whether the DSD-deposited cathode composite can be integrated into a full working cell structure.

The pouch cells incorporate the DSD-deposited cathode composite alongside a liquid electrolyte baseline, allowing assessment of the deposition process in a full-format environment prior to integration of solid-state electrolyte systems.

The electrochemical program is currently in formation cycling at 0.05C, with early conditioning behaviour reported as expected, while full performance outcomes including capacity, efficiency and cycle life remain under evaluation.

At this stage, the program is also advancing deposition of the Company’s Amorphous Solid-State Electrolyte (ASE) as a thin film, intended for subsequent integration into the pouch-cell architecture.

The ASE material has previously been benchmarked at 3.2 mS cm-1 ionic conductivity and 0.27 eV activation energy, and is positioned for integration into the next phase of cell development.

The evaluation program is being undertaken at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology within the NSF supported CEPS facility, led by Dr Alevtina Smirnova, Director of CEPS and Technical Advisor to Critical Resources, with the underlying solid-state battery intellectual property developed within this research program and subject to the Company’s exclusive option.

Critical Resources Managing Director Tim Wither stated,

“Moving from coin cells to a full-format pouch cell is the step that shows our DSD process can build a real, working cell, not just prove the chemistry in a button cell.”

The Company’s stated strategy is to license its battery materials and manufacturing intellectual property rather than manufacture cells, with each stage of technical validation designed to de-risk the DSD process and expand potential licensing and partnership opportunities.

Next steps include completion of electrochemical testing across coin-cell and pouch-cell formats, followed by independent validation testing, integration of the ASE solid-state electrolyte as a thin film, and further development work combining ASE and high-temperature electrolyte systems within the DSD manufacturing process to progress towards a full solid-state cell.

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