ELI5: How do solid-state batteries work

Solid-state batteries are like regular batteries, but instead of using a liquid to help electricity flow, they use a solid material, like a super-powered ceramic tile.

Imagine your regular battery as a yummy sandwich.

• The bread are the electrodes, where electricity goes in and out.
• The filling, like jelly or peanut butter, is the electrolyte. This helps the electricity move between the bread slices. In regular batteries, this "filling" is a liquid or gel. It's good at conducting electricity, but it can sometimes leak or catch fire.

• It's solid, so it can't leak! This makes the battery safer.
• It can also let electricity move through it faster than the liquid jelly, which means the battery can charge quicker and last longer.
• Because it's solid, the battery can be made smaller and packed together more tightly, like stacking plates instead of bowls full of jelly. This means you can get more power in a smaller space.