Solid-state batteries in 2026: overview
Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte to conduct ions between electrodes, replacing the liquid electrolyte used in conventional lithium-ion cells. The design could improve safety and enable higher energy density, especially when paired with lithium-metal anodes. But performance depends on more than electrolyte conductivity: maintaining stable contact between solid materials during cycling, controlling cracking and making cells with consistent manufacturing processes remain difficult. These interface and production challenges are central to moving from promising materials to practical cells.
Recent work is tackling those bottlenecks at both material and manufacturing levels. In August 2026, researchers reported interfacial percolation in lean-lithium oxychloride electrolytes and additive engineering to address the stability–conductivity trade-off in halides. A September 2026 report described an elastic ion-conductive polymer approach to internal cracking in sulfide cells. Also in September 2026, Mitsui Kinzoku and Factorial announced a partnership to scale solid-state battery manufacturing, underscoring the field’s shift from cell chemistry toward production.
- 1Interfaces remain central: Recent work on interfacial percolation and elastic ion-conductive polymers targets contact loss, cracking and stability problems that can limit cell performance.
- 2Materials are diversifying: Research on oxychloride and halide electrolytes, alongside sulfide and oxide systems, reflects efforts to balance ion transport, stability and manufacturability.
- 3Scale-up moves forward: The September 2026 Mitsui Kinzoku–Factorial partnership signals that manufacturing integration is becoming as important as materials discovery.
Top organizations working on solid-state batteries
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to solid-state batteries. Showing 7 of 3,000 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
LG Corp
Corporate · South Korea |
Polymer electrolytes | PAT 374 · PUB 26 NEWS 500 |
-19% | Recently, LG filed patents covering PEO-based composite electrolytes, electrolyte membranes, and cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries. |
| 2 | 
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
Corporate · South Korea |
Sulfide electrolytes | PAT 482 · PUB 13 NEWS 174 |
+5% | Recently, Samsung SDI filed patents for solid-state battery electrodes, including coated negative electrodes and positive-electrode compositions; its research also addresses the electrochemical stability of sulfide electrolytes. |
| 3 | 
Toyota Motor Corporation
Corporate · Japan |
General | PAT 289 · PUB 8 NEWS 661 |
-22% | Recently, Toyota patented a solid-state battery design that places heat-dissipating material between the electrode body and battery casing. |
| 4 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
Halide electrolytes | PUB 547 · NEWS 28 | +28% | Recently, researchers associated with CAS reported work on halide electrolytes and sulfide electrolyte films, alongside studies of interfaces for durable, low-pressure solid-state batteries. |
| 5 | 
Nissan Motor Co.
Corporate · Japan |
General | PAT 142 · PUB 7 NEWS 312 |
-29% | Recently, Nissan patented an electrode-manufacturing method intended to reduce resistance in all-solid-state batteries. Its other patent work addresses cycle durability and short-circuit risk in lithium-deposition cells. |
| 6 | 
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd
Corporate · China |
Sulfide electrolytes | PAT 146 · PUB 42 NEWS 447 |
+4% | Recently, CATL said it plans small-scale trial production of sulfide-based solid-state batteries in 2027 and reported lab cells reaching 500 Wh/kg. |
| 7 | 
Tsinghua University
Research · China |
Sulfide electrolytes | PAT 2 · PUB 392 NEWS 13 |
-14% | Research addresses sulfide-battery interfaces, thermal failure, and mechanical degradation, alongside work on high-capacity cathodes and thin, conductive sulfide electrolyte films. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 48 total
QuantumScapeUnited StatesQuantumScape develops lithium-metal solid-state cells using a ceramic separator; its patents also cover cathode materials and solid-state buffer layers.- Factorial Inc.United StatesRecently, Factorial and SK On agreed to assess manufacturing Factorial's FEST cells using existing facilities. Its patents cover fluorine- and nitrogen-doped argyrodite solid electrolytes.
ProLogium TechnologyTaiwanRecently, ProLogium said it had begun mass-producing all-solid-state cells. The company develops lithium-ceramic battery technology for electric vehicles and other applications.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 2,298 total
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers associated with CAS reported work on halide electrolytes and sulfide electrolyte films, alongside studies of interfaces for durable, low-pressure solid-state batteries.
- Tsinghua UniversityChinaResearch addresses sulfide-battery interfaces, thermal failure, and mechanical degradation, alongside work on high-capacity cathodes and thin, conductive sulfide electrolyte films.
University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChinaResearch focuses on sulfide-battery silicon anodes, electrolyte films, and cathode interfaces, with additional work on chloride electrolytes and their compatibility with high-voltage cathodes.- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where solid-state batteries innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 3,000 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfide electrolytes | Sulfides offer high ionic conductivity and processability, but moisture sensitivity and the need to maintain stable electrode contact complicate handling and cell operation. | 1,097 |
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., LG Corp, Hanyang University |
| Oxide electrolytes | Oxides can offer chemical stability, but their rigidity and difficult interfacial contact can make cell fabrication and cycling more challenging. | 1,635 |
LG Corp, Korea University, Jülich Research Center |
| Polymer electrolytes | Polymers are flexible and easier to process, but their room-temperature ionic conductivity can limit performance. | 3,750 |
LG Corp, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Tsinghua University |
| Halide electrolytes | Halides can pair oxidative stability with useful ion transport, but conductivity, interfacial compatibility and air stability remain trade-offs. | 371 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Hydride electrolytes | Hydrides are explored for fast ion transport, but sensitivity to air and moisture and demanding synthesis can complicate practical use. | 104 |
Kookmin University, Seoul National University, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
FACTS records $304.7 million in grants since 2020 and 36 funding rounds totaling $26.2 billion. The round total is an aggregate landscape figure and may include funding not dedicated solely to solid-state battery programs.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Sep 2026All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are considered a next-generation technology that can overcome the safety and performance limits of conventional lithium-ion batteries. Among the various types, sulfide-based ASSBs…Scientific Inquirer
- Sep 2026• Strategic partnership expected to accelerate global scale up of Factorial's all-solid-state Solstice™ platform • Mitsui Kinzoku, one of the few companies in the world holding foundational solid-state electrolyte…GlobeNewswire - News from United States
- Jul 2026Xiamen, Fujian Jul 27, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - By Dany Huang, Ph.D. "Solid-state batteries will reach mass production in five years." Variations of this statement have appeared in industry presentations and technology…IssueWire | Press Release Distribution - Business
- Jun 2026TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TrendForce's latest “2Q26 Global Solid-State Battery Industry Development Quarterly Report” reveals that the Japanese government has significantly expanded support for…GlobeNewswire - Industry News on Industrials
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about solid-state batteries
What companies are working on solid-state batteries?
Samsung SDI, LG Corp, Toyota Motor Corporation and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd are prominent corporate players. Their work spans solid electrolytes, electrodes, cell design and manufacturing plans. Other active companies include Nissan Motor Co., BYD Company, Honda Corporation and BMW AG. Their approaches and activity differ, so a relevant partner depends on the electrolyte, cell component or application of interest.
Which solid-state battery startups are worth watching in 2026?
QuantumScape, Factorial Inc. and ProLogium Technology are named startups with distinct solid-state battery approaches. QuantumScape develops lithium-metal cells using a ceramic separator; Factorial works on sulfide-based cells and manufacturing assessment; ProLogium develops lithium-ceramic batteries. These are examples of active companies, not a ranking of commercial readiness or investment prospects.
Which universities and research centers lead solid-state battery research?
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Tsinghua University and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences are among the prominent research organizations. Their work spans halide and sulfide electrolytes, electrolyte films, cathode interfaces and silicon anodes. Other active groups include Shanghai JiaoTong University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Hanyang University, with research across multiple electrolyte and cell designs.
How much funding has solid-state battery research received?
FACTS records $304.7 million in grants since 2020 and $26.2 billion across 36 funding rounds. These are aggregate landscape figures, not a verified total of funding exclusively dedicated to solid-state battery research. The round data includes entries for companies and organizations, so assess individual deals and their stated purpose before treating them as direct technology investment.
Who holds the most solid-state battery patents?
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. leads the listed patent holders with 482 patents, followed by LG Corp with 374 and Toyota Motor Corporation with 289. Other leading holders include Panasonic, Nissan Motor Co. and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. These figures identify prominent patent portfolios in the dataset; they do not indicate patent quality or freedom to operate.
Is solid-state battery patent activity growing?
Patent activity is down 23.9% in the latest year-on-year comparison, while 4,453 patents appear in the 24-month window. Publication activity moved in the opposite direction: 7,055 publications were recorded in 2025, up 7.8% from the previous year. The contrast suggests research output remains active even as patenting has softened.
What are the latest developments in solid-state batteries?
Recent developments include a September 2026 report on an elastic ion-conductive polymer for internal cracking in sulfide cells and an August 2026 study of lean-lithium oxychloride electrolytes. Research also targets the stability–conductivity trade-off in halides. In September 2026, Mitsui Kinzoku and Factorial announced a manufacturing scale-up partnership, bringing production integration into sharper focus.
What are the main solid-state battery approaches, and how do they differ?
The main approaches in FACTS are sulfide, oxide, polymer, halide and hydride electrolytes. Sulfides are associated with high conductivity and processability; oxides with chemical stability; polymers with flexibility; and halides with oxidative stability and ion transport. Each brings different manufacturing and interface challenges. Hydrides are a smaller research area, with handling and synthesis considerations among the practical constraints.
Which countries lead solid-state battery activity?
China leads the listed country activity with 27,673 documents, followed by the United States with 24,259 and Japan with 15,883. South Korea has 10,573 documents, and Germany has 9,087. These figures describe recorded activity rather than market share or technology leadership; company, university and patent activity can vary substantially within each country.
What are the applications of solid-state batteries?
Electric vehicles are the largest named application in FACTS, with 7,081 documents; grid energy storage has 2,467 and consumer electronics has 2,241. Other application areas include aerospace and aviation, and IoT and medical devices. EV-related organizations include Toyota Motor Corporation, BYD Company and BMW AG, while the other application areas bring different priorities for size, operating conditions and cell performance.