Key facts
- NASA's new solid-state battery prototype can operate in extreme cold.
- The battery endured temperatures as low as -170 degrees Celsius during testing.
- It operated at reduced performance down to -80 degrees Celsius.
- Optimal performance was seen between -60 and 80 degrees Celsius.
- The technology could improve EV performance in cold climates and enhance safety.
- NASA is also developing nuclear energy technologies for space exploration.
NASA has developed a new solid-state battery prototype that can operate in extreme cold, potentially enabling lunar exploration and improving electric vehicle performance in cold climates. The technology, part of the SPEARS project, has endured temperatures as low as minus 170 degrees Celsius. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, with their flammable liquid electrolytes, are not suited for such harsh conditions. The new solid-state design offers a safer and more stable alternative, with potential applications beyond space exploration, including EVs, drones, and grid-scale energy storage. NASA is also collaborating with the Department of Energy on next-generation nuclear energy technologies for deep space missions.