Solid-state batteries aren’t ready yet, but gels are

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Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere as we enter the second quarter of the 21st century, and that’s a problem. from E-bikes explode in stairs to lithium ion Power banks burn out mid-flightThe volatile nature of conventional liquid electrolytes has become an undeniable public safety risk.

In 2025, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued recalls on nearly 1.9 million power banks from companies such as DenyThe Basios and the INIU. It also led to summonses for Tens of thousands of e-bikes due to fire fears, with a rare warning issued immediately Stop using batteries Found on many Rad Power Bikes models.

The solution, we’ve been told for at least a decade, is a solid-state battery. Their arrival is always imminent and promises to deliver combustion-free battery cells that are cheap and lightweight, charge quickly, run cool, and hold inordinate amounts of energy in less space. No wonder everyone stops in their tracks when It was claimed Donut Lab For the “miracle” solid state battery. Ready for production. We want to believe!

Unfortunately, what seemed too good to be true seemed to be exactly that, and now it was Completely exposed. But while the world was distracted, a new class of improved batteries began making their way into power banks, e-bikes, and more.

These next generation batteries are neither liquid nor solid; They are something in between. halfSolid-state batteries are a bridge to the future, with a gel-like composition that provides some of the benefits of solid-state, with much less risk of thermal runaway that traditional lithium-ion batteries exhibit.

In April 2025, I reviewed “The world’s first” semi-rigid power bank From a company called Kuxiu. Today several additional Trademarks Sell ​​similar products. They cost a little more but pack more power into the same space and work better in cold weather. Most importantly, they are less likely to overheat and catch fire throughout their lifespan, which can be two to three times longer than traditional lithium-ion power banks.

Each product launch is usually accompanied by video It shows lab-coated troublemakers armed with hammers, nails, drills, pliers and knives doing their best to bend, puncture and tear apart batteries. Spoiler: Volatile liquid electrolytes ignite, but semi-solid gels do not.

Aside from the electrolyte, the basic design of the semi-solid battery is unchanged. You have an anode on one side of the semi-solid electrolyte and a cathode on the other, where ions jostle back and forth as the cell charges and discharges. With minor modifications, semi-solid batteries can be manufactured on the same assembly lines as their fire-prone counterparts.

In other words, semi-solid batteries don’t need to blow up the present to power the future, and the e-bike industry has taken notice.

Ride1Up is arguably leading the semi-rigid trend in the US. In early May, it was announced Revv1 Evoor what it calls “the world’s first semi-rigid electric bicycle.” The 1,040-watt-hour battery made by Heyuan Lithium Inno is supposed to withstand more than 1,200 charging cycles, not 500 like typical e-bike batteries, before dropping below 80 percent of its original storage capacity. It can also charge in two hours and withstands extreme temperatures better. Shipping begins in August 2026.

Not to be outdone, global bicycle giant Giant announced at the end of May that it would also adopt semi-solid-state batteries. It powers at least five mass-produced e-bikes using Heyuan Lithium Inno semi-solid batteries. It also partnered with T&D, a battery company spun off from component maker Bafang. Giant says the T&D battery has 50 percent more capacity than a lithium-ion battery and allows it to reduce the frame’s built-in weight by 21 percent. according to bicycle europe. We’re still waiting for Giant to reveal the actual e-bikes.

Chinese phones have made headlines with… Silicon carbon Batteries, but some also contain semi-solid electrolytes. Switching from graphite anodes to silicon and carbon anodes allows these advanced batteries to pack more energy into less space. Back in 2024, Vivo announced the X200 series with a battery that combines… Semi-solid electrolyte with silicon and carbon anode. The same BlueVolt-branded battery can be found in new Vivo devices like the X300 Ultra.

And this is just the beginning. Semi-solid batteries are being tested or marketed in everything from drones to electric vehicles and large power plants used for home backup during power outages.

The adoption of semi-solid batteries across device categories is driven in part by stricter rules imposed by Chinese regulatory agencies.

For example, new rules for e-bikes, which take effect in December 2025, require batteries to pass a puncture test to see if they will cause a fire or explosion. Although power banks don’t undergo the same torture during certification, they still need to pass a series of rigorous tests that push liquid electrolytes to the limits. Otherwise, they will not receive the Chinese CCC mark (similar to the CE mark in Europe or the UL mark in the US) required for air travel.

This represents a compelling case for manufacturers to adopt semi-solid-state batteries, which naturally comply with China’s strict regulatory standards. If this happens, it will retool more assembly lines and reduce manufacturing costs, paving the way for a wide range of device categories to benefit from these advanced batteries.

Since China controls the world’s battery supply, all countries could ultimately benefit from improved safety. This would be particularly good news for the United States, with its patchwork of state laws, City ordinancesand optional UL certifications have so far failed to make e-bike batteries and power banks safer nationwide.

As for true solid-state batteries, well, we’ll just have to keep waiting. Meanwhile, Donut Lab It says it’s still open for business.