Longer-lasting electric car batteries, and Big Tech’s fightback against Congress’ antitrust plans

Fully charged: Electric cars are becoming more common, but they’re still limited by how far they can go on a single charge — the Tesla Model 3 can go about 350 miles before needing a recharge. On a quest to build batteries that can safely take us further, startup Solid Power is working to create solid-state batteries that can pack more energy in a small space. than.

Battery source: The company manufactures liquid-replacement battery cells used as the electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries with ceramic layers. This could open up new options for battery chemistry, potentially allowing for solid battery swapping. It has taken a step towards testing the technology in vehicles, starting a large-scale trial production line.

A note of caution: The question remains as to whether companies that manufacture solid electrolytes will be able to produce them on a large scale. Inorganic materials can be brittle and difficult to move during manufacturing. Another concern about solid batteries is how well they can withstand degradation over time. Read full story.

—Casey Crownhart

Things to read

I’ve scoured the internet to find you today’s most interesting/important/scary/fascinating stories about tech.

1 Big Tech is appalled by the crackdown proposed by Congress
Tech giants are looking for ways to try to thwart their attempts to rein in market power. (FT $)
+ Supporters are racing to get it before the midterm elections. (CNBC)
+ What does breaking up Big Tech really mean? (MIT Technology Review)

The 2 Largest NFT Markets Are Facing Calculations
OpenSea is paying large sums to settle claims of theft and plagiarism. (NYT $)
+ The voices of crypto opponents are getting louder. (WP $)
+ Why this crypto crash feels different from previous crashes. (Guardians)
+ Japan has become one of the first countries to introduce a stablecoin regulatory framework. (Bloomberg $)
+ The web3 obsession is not without casualties. (Motherboard)

3 One of America’s largest baby formula factories has started production again
Good news for parents and carers struggling with widespread shortages. (BBC)
+ The FDA is facing an investigation over its handling of the shortage. (NPR)
+ The formula shortage has created a shady online marketplace. (MIT Technology Review)

4 Migrants are documenting the dangerous journey to Europe on TikTok
Social media platforms and European Union lawmakers are worried about illegal migrant content. (The rest of the world)

5 You can expect to be remade with covid
It is likely that we will need more, and better, vaccines. (Wired $)