On Silver, and power – a genuine tectonic event for both

Chat GPT: Samsung has been developing a new battery technology that incorporates silver, and it’s tied to their work on next-generation solid-state batteries, not a standard lithium-ion battery upgrade. Discovery Alert

Here’s the key about it:

? Is Samsung using silver in batteries?

Samsung (specifically Samsung SDI) is working on solid-state battery designs that include a silver-carbon (Ag-C) composite material — typically in the anode region. Rather than a traditional graphite or lithium-metal anode, the silver-carbon layer helps with ion transport, stability, and safety in solid-state structures. Discovery Alert

? Why silver — what does it do?

Silver isn’t there just because it’s a precious metal — it has very high electrical conductivity and mechanical durability. In these prototypes it can:

• Improve internal conductivity so electrons move more efficiently Discovery Alert

• Help reduce dendrite growth (a common failure mode in metal anodes) Discovery Alert

• Enable thinner, lighter battery layouts with higher energy density — prototypes suggest potential performance around 500 Wh/kg, roughly double what many current EV lithium-ion cells offer. Discovery Alert

That’s why silver is being discussed in significant quantities (estimates around grams of Ag per cell and ~1 kg per EV pack), and why analysts talk about its demand rising. Metals and Miners

? Benefits vs. cost

Using silver is expensive — silver costs are much higher per kilogram than typical battery materials — but the proposed advantages are significant enough that it might be worth it in premium applications:

Potential benefits:

• Higher energy density ? longer range for EVs

• Faster charging

• Better cycle life / durability

• Improved safety (solid electrolyte means fewer fire risks) Discovery Alert

Cost trade-offs:

• Silver is much more expensive than graphite or copper traditionally used in batteries

• Higher material costs mean initial adoption likely in high-end or limited segments

• Scaling production and cost reduction are still big engineering challenges Discovery Alert

? Bottom line

Samsung’s silver-enhanced solid-state battery approach is real and is part of broader next-gen battery research; the silver isn’t a gimmick, it’s there to solve specific materials science challenges that could justify higher cost by delivering significantly better performance metrics (energy density, fast charging, lifespan, safety). Discovery Alert

A paragraph or two from the link above on the reality of this tech and its effects on Silver:

And when you add in the demand from the military, from the A.I. and robotics revolutions, and from the rising consumer class in Asia, you have a recipe for a supply crisis of epic proportions.

The question is not whether the price of silver will rise. The question is how high it will go. And the answer is that it will go much, much higher.

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The world is about to discover that silver is not just a precious metal; it is the most indispensable metal on the planet. And the price is about to reflect that reality.

The Solid-State Battery Breakthrough: A Game-Changer for Silver Demand

Samsung has developed a new solid-state battery that is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry. This new battery offers a 600-mile range, a 20-year lifespan, and a 9-minute charge time. It is a game-changer for the EV industry, and it is a game-changer for the silver market.

Special thanks to JU for his consistent thoughts on metals and its relationship to economics.