HOW LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES WORK

Lithium-ion batteries operate on the same principles regardless of their materials. To power a device, lithium ions travel from the anode (negative) through the electrolyte and to the cathode (positive), discharging electrons. To recharge, they receive an electron and travel back to the anode. A traditional lithium-ion battery uses a liquid electrolyte with a separator between the electrodes to prevent short-circuits while allowing the ions to pass. In a solid-state battery, the electrolyte is a solid material, like a ceramic, which stops the growth of dendrites and also prevents short-circuits.