Ask engineers what they would fix about today's lithium-ion batteries and the list is almost always the same: they are not energy-dense enough, they degrade too fast, and under the wrong conditions they catch fire. Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are the technology built to answer all three complaints at once, replacing the flammable liquid electrolyte with a solid one to unlock higher energy density, longer lifespans and a real safety advantage.

Arab British Fellowship Training Academy designed this course to take that promise apart piece by piece — the materials, the manufacturing hurdles, and the realistic timeline for solid-state batteries to reach electric vehicles, consumer electronics and renewable energy storage at commercial scale.

By the End of This Programme, You Will Be Able To

• Explain the fundamental principles and operating mechanisms of solid-state battery technology.
• Evaluate the advantages, limitations and challenges of solid-state batteries relative to conventional lithium-ion cells.
• Identify current trends, applications and research directions in solid-state battery development.
• Assess the commercial potential of solid-state batteries and their likely impact on electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.

Target Audience

• Battery technology engineers and professionals expanding their knowledge of advanced battery technologies.
• Researchers and scientists in energy storage, electrochemistry or materials science.
• Product developers working on next-generation batteries for EVs, consumer electronics or energy storage.
• Energy policymakers and professionals interested in the future of sustainable energy storage.

Module 1: Why Solid-State Batteries Are the Next Big Leap

• The limitations of traditional liquid-based battery technologies.
• What's driving the shift toward solid-state technology.
• Key benefits: greater safety, higher energy density and longer lifespan.

Module 2: How Solid-State Batteries Differ from Lithium-Ion

• Core components: solid electrolytes, electrodes and separators.
• Structural and operational differences from conventional lithium-ion cells.
• Basic operating principles of solid-state batteries.

Module 3: Solid Electrolyte Types – Ceramic, Sulfide and Polymer

• Ceramic (oxide) electrolytes: properties and challenges.
• Sulfide-based electrolytes: advantages and limitations.
• Polymer electrolytes: current use and future potential.

Module 4: Ionic Conductivity and Transport in Solid Electrolytes

• The role of ionic conductivity in battery performance.
• How ions move through solid electrolytes during charge and discharge, compared with liquid systems.
• Factors that influence and can enhance ionic conductivity.

Module 5: Electrolyte Development Challenges

• Material stability and chemical reactivity issues.
• Interfacial problems between solid electrolytes and electrodes.
• The difficulty of scaling electrolyte materials for mass production.

Module 6: Charge/Discharge Behaviour and Performance Metrics

• The electrochemical reactions behind energy storage and release.
• Key performance indicators: energy density, efficiency and cycle life.
• How temperature and cycling affect long-term performance.

Module 7: From Lab to Factory – Scaling Production Challenges

• Difficulties moving from laboratory-scale to commercial manufacturing.
• Material handling and fabrication complexity at scale.
• Why materials and production processes remain costly.

Module 8: Manufacturing Techniques for Solid-State Cells

• Cold pressing, sintering and sputtering techniques.
• Thin-film deposition and solid electrolyte formation.
• Approaches to improving production efficiency and cutting costs.

Module 9: Testing, Quality Control and Safety

• Standard testing methods for capacity and cycle stability.
• Quality control challenges around material consistency and manufacturing defects.
• How non-flammable solid electrolytes reduce the risk of thermal runaway and fire.

Module 10: Energy Density Gains and What They Enable

• How solid-state batteries store more energy in the same volume or weight.
• The resulting gains in battery life for smaller devices.
• The potential for lighter, more compact battery systems.

Module 11: The Road to Commercialisation – Remaining Barriers

• High production costs and material shortages.
• Persistent technical issues at the electrolyte-electrode interface.
• Market barriers and realistic timeframes for mass adoption.

Module 12: Applications in EVs and Consumer Electronics

• Potential impact on driving range, charging speed and safety in EVs.
• Applications in smartphones, laptops and wearables.
• How longer battery life and shorter charging times could reshape both markets.

Module 13: Solid-State Batteries for Renewable Energy Storage

• Using solid-state batteries to store energy from solar and wind.
• Their potential impact on grid storage and off-grid solutions.
• The role of solid-state batteries in supporting sustainable energy systems.