Core Viewpoint - The collaboration between the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Process Research and Zhongtian Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. has led to the development of a polymer flexible solid-state lithium battery, which has won the first prize for technological invention at the 2025 China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation Science and Technology Awards, filling an international gap in megawatt-hour level deep-sea energy storage applications [1] Group 1: Technological Development - The solid-state lithium battery technology provides a safe, reliable, and accident-free power source for deep-sea operations, with applications extending to large-scale energy storage and electric vehicles [1] - Traditional liquid lithium batteries face significant challenges in deep-sea environments, including shell deformation, electrolyte leakage, and performance degradation, which can jeopardize expensive scientific equipment [2] - The research team, led by Cui Guanglei, focused on solid-state lithium batteries as a next-generation power solution, overcoming various challenges related to materials, interfaces, and processes [2][3] Group 2: Material Challenges - The extreme pressure at 10,000 meters underwater (100 MPa) imposes stringent requirements on the mechanical strength and electrochemical stability of battery materials [3] - The team faced initial difficulties in synthesizing solid electrolytes, which often had defects and insufficient toughness, leading to performance issues [3] - After extensive testing and optimization, the team successfully developed a high-performance polymer solid electrolyte, marking a significant breakthrough in solid-state battery materials [3] Group 3: System Integration and Engineering - The team proposed a composite solid-state electrolyte design and developed an innovative in-situ polymerization interface fusion technology to create a high-safety, high-energy, and long-life polymer solid-state lithium battery [4] - A self-pressurized battery management system was innovated to withstand deep-sea conditions, leading to successful testing at a depth of 10,918 meters in the Mariana Trench [4] - This achievement not only provided stable energy for deep-sea equipment but also marked a breakthrough in overcoming technical bottlenecks in deep-sea power sources, eliminating reliance on foreign technologies [4] Group 4: Advancements in Energy Systems - The research team has developed the world's first megawatt-level deep-sea energy station, capable of supporting multiple operational sites and facilitating long-term collaborative exploration [5] - The energy station can provide power to underwater laboratories and enable information interconnectivity between platforms, enhancing operational flexibility [5] - The team has successfully implemented two megawatt-level deep-sea energy storage systems with over six months of fault-free operation, significantly increasing the capacity of deep-sea energy systems [6]

Group 1 - Shenzhen Yaoshi Lithium Battery Technology Co., Ltd. has completed its Series A financing, with the amount undisclosed, and the investment was led by Wuyuefeng Science and Technology Innovation [1] - The company focuses on the research and production of solid-state consumer battery cells, aiming to apply various original technologies to improve the comprehensive performance of consumer lithium-ion batteries [2] - The company's shareholders and team have a historical reliance on the platform of the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and have made substantial breakthroughs in key technologies of new solid-state lithium battery systems, which are expected to significantly enhance core indicators such as energy density, charge and discharge rates, cycle life, and safety performance [2]

Core Insights - The research team from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has made significant breakthroughs in solid-state lithium batteries, addressing key challenges such as high interfacial resistance and low ionic conductivity [1][3] Group 1: Research Breakthroughs - The new material developed by the research team integrates ionic conductive ethoxy groups and electrochemically active short sulfur chains, achieving interfacial integration at the molecular level [3] - The innovative material demonstrates high ionic conductivity and allows for controllable switching of ionic transport and storage behaviors across different potential ranges [3] Group 2: Performance Metrics - A flexible battery constructed from this new material exhibits excellent bending resistance, capable of withstanding 20,000 cycles of repeated bending [3] - When used as a polymer electrolyte in composite cathodes, the energy density of the composite cathode increases by 86% [3] Group 3: Industry Implications - This research provides new material design ideas and research paradigms for the development of high-performance and high-safety solid-state batteries, positioning solid-state lithium batteries as a crucial direction for next-generation energy storage technology [2][3]