1. Introduction: Current Status and Trends of the Power Bank Industry
With the rapid growth of smartphones, laptops, and wearable devices, consumers are increasingly reliant on power banks. In the past few years, the industry has mainly focused on improving energy density (longer use per charge), fast charging performance, and aesthetic design. However, as demand rises, safety has become a top priority.
Traditional lithium-ion batteries still carry risks such as swelling, leakage, fire, or even explosion under extreme conditions. As a result, battery technology is shifting toward safer and more stable solutions. In this context, all-solid-state batteries and semi-solid-state batteries have become hot topics and are seen as key directions for the future of the power bank industry.
2. All-Solid-State Batteries
Definition: All-solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes (such as sulfides, oxides, or solid polymers) instead of liquid electrolytes. This means the system contains no liquid components, theoretically minimizing the risk of thermal runaway.
Advantages:
- High safety: Solid electrolytes are non-flammable, so even under puncture or high temperature, combustion or explosion is highly unlikely.
- Higher energy density: They can be paired with lithium-metal anodes to achieve greater capacity, making power banks smaller and lighter while storing more energy.
- Wide temperature adaptability: Solid electrolytes remain stable across a broad temperature range.
Challenges:
- Low ionic conductivity: Most solid electrolytes still underperform compared to liquid ones at room temperature.
- Interface issues: Solid-solid contact often causes high interfacial resistance, affecting efficiency.
- High cost & manufacturing difficulty: Currently limited to lab or small-scale prototypes, not yet feasible for consumer products.
Current status: Toyota, Samsung, and QuantumScape are actively developing all-solid-state batteries, primarily for EVs. For consumer electronics like power banks, large-scale adoption is unlikely for at least another 5–10 years.
3. Semi-Solid-State Batteries
Definition: Semi-solid-state batteries combine solid and liquid components in the electrolyte. By reducing the proportion of liquid and introducing gel or solid components, they improve safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Advantages:
- Improved safety: Lower liquid content reduces the likelihood of fire or explosion in case of puncture or overheating.
- Higher energy density: Optimized electrode materials and electrolyte systems allow for greater capacity than liquid-only batteries.
- Manufacturing compatibility: Their production process is similar to existing lithium-ion cells, making them easier and cheaper to mass-produce than all-solid-state batteries.
Limitations:
- Still contains liquid: Cannot completely eliminate thermal runaway risks.
- Performance varies by manufacturer: Safety and consistency depend heavily on formula design and process control.
Current status: Companies such as CATL and NIO have already launched semi-solid solutions, with some applied in EVs. In the consumer electronics space, especially power banks, semi-solid batteries are gradually being introduced as a transitional upgrade.
4. Key Differences Between All-Solid-State and Semi-Solid-State Batteries
Electrolyte form
- All-solid-state: 100% solid electrolyte, no liquid content.
- Semi-solid: Mixture of solid and liquid, with reduced liquid content.
Safety
- All-solid-state: Almost no risk of fire or explosion.
- Semi-solid: Safer than liquid batteries but not completely risk-free.
Energy density
- All-solid-state: Highest potential, especially with lithium-metal anodes.
- Semi-solid: Higher than liquid, but below all-solid-state.
Manufacturing & cost
- All-solid-state: High technical barriers, high cost, limited scalability.
- Semi-solid: Compatible with current production lines, cost-effective, already in mass production.
Commercial timeline
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All-solid-state: Broad commercialization expected around 2030.
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Semi-solid: Already entering consumer electronics and expected to grow rapidly in the next 3–5 years.
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5. How to Choose a Reliable Semi-Solid Power Bank Manufacturer
Since semi-solid technology varies widely among suppliers, the quality and safety of products on the market can differ significantly. For buyers, choosing the right manufacturer is critical. Here are key factors to evaluate:
1. Battery Materials & Technical Approach
- Electrolyte system: Top manufacturers use gel or hybrid electrolytes enhanced with flame retardants and stabilizers.
- Electrode materials: Look for thermally stable materials (e.g., lithium iron phosphate or coated high-nickel cathodes).
- Consistency data: Reputable suppliers provide test results showing capacity distribution and internal resistance across batches.
2. Design & Safety Protection
- Structural design: Reliable products include venting valves or pressure relief mechanisms to prevent violent ruptures.
- Protection circuits: Overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent, short-circuit, and temperature protections are essential.
- Safety tests: Request puncture, extrusion, and overheat test reports to verify performance.
3. Manufacturing Process & Equipment
- Process control: Coating uniformity, electrolyte filling precision, vacuum sealing, and welding quality directly impact safety.
- Automation: Higher automation levels reduce defects and improve consistency.
- Quality management: Ensure the supplier has robust IQC (incoming quality control) and OQC (outgoing quality control) systems.
4. Certifications & Compliance
- International certifications: CE, FCC, RoHS, etc.
- Transport certifications: UN38.3, MSDS, air-shipment reports—critical for legal, safe transportation.
- Customer references: Partnerships with well-known brands indicate proven reliability.
5. Customization & Service Capabilities
- OEM/ODM experience: Ability to deliver customized designs from cell selection to product packaging.
- R\&D support: In-house engineering teams that can optimize solutions to meet client needs.
- After-sales service: Strong technical and warranty support ensures long-term reliability.
👉 In summary: When selecting a semi-solid power bank manufacturer, do not base the decision on cost alone. Instead, consider materials, safety design, process quality, certifications, and service capabilities to ensure safe and reliable products.
6. Future Outlook: The Evolution of the Battery & Power Bank Industry
- Short term (1–3 years): Semi-solid batteries will gradually enter high-end power banks, highlighting safety and performance.
- Medium term (3–5 years): As technology matures, semi-solid batteries may become the mainstream choice in mid-to-high-end models.
- Long term (5–10 years): Once mass production challenges are overcome, all-solid-state batteries will redefine the industry, enabling ultra-thin, high-capacity, and nearly risk-free power banks.
Overall, the core driver of innovation in both the battery and power bank industries remains the same: greater safety and higher energy density. Semi-solid batteries represent the practical solution for today, while all-solid-state batteries stand as the ultimate goal for the future.
