Solid-state

It was only a matter of time until we got the first production EV with a semi-solid-state battery. Very few would have put their money on MG to accomplish that feat first. But here we are, and we are not too far away from the car’s official release!

As our personal devices get smaller and are expected to do more – your phone, smartwatch, or wearable AI assistant – they can get hotter on the inside. xMEMS' tech can deliver airflow in these products with a chip smaller than a microSD card.

BMW is road-testing solid-state batteries in the i7 electric sedan. The sulfide-based batteries promise higher energy density, improved safety and more versatile, compact packaging in comparison with traditional lithium-ion batteries.

xMEMS Labs launched a solid-state micro-speaker last year that was designed to bring full-range sound to open earphones. Now the Sycamore has been tweaked to produce "the world's thinnest speaker designed specifically for wrist-worn wearables."

Solid-state batteries are the next big thing in the electric vehicle industry. Mercedes-Benz is already testing its own batteries co-developed with Factorial Energy which promise increased driving range, quicker charging, and efficiency.

Honda doesn't just want to power future EVs with solid-state batteries; it wants to build the actual batteries. It took a big step this month, unveiling a demo production line that will be used to refine the batteries and manufacturing process.

Last year, xMEMS Labs embarked on a mission to replace legacy coil-based speakers in wireless ANC buds with silicon-based solid-state micro-speakers. Now the company has a new full-range flavor for open-fit earphones.

China's EHang has completed what it calls the world's first solid-state battery test in a pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL. With nearly 500 Wh/kg of energy density, the solid-state battery contributes to a serious boost in endurance.

Factorial has been working on lithium-metal quasi-solid-state technology for over a decade, aiming to create an energy-dense battery that costs the equivalent of lithium-ion units. This month, it's sent out its first B-samples to Mercedes-Benz.

IM motors has decided that semi solid-state batteries are ready for prime time. In an omen of what Western automakers will need to contend with, it's now launched a futuristic luxury coupe with a next-gen battery pack and crab-walking capability.

Earlier this year, we introduced solid-state micro-speaker technology from California's xMEMS Labs that's designed to replace coil-based drivers in wearable audio products. Now the company is aiming for satisfying low end with the Cypress speaker.

Back in late 2022, Frore Systems emerged from stealth with two solid-state active cooling chips for computers called the AirJet Pro and AirJet Mini. Now Chinese multinational Zotac has announced the rollout of the first mini-PC built around the latter.