Add BrightSurf on Google Email

DigBat: An AI-ready digital platform for solid-state battery research

DigBat brings together solid-state electrolyte data, simulations, machine learning, and AI to support battery materials research, providing a clearer view of the solid-state electrolyte landscape. Researchers can compare experimental and computational data, build machine-learning models, and gain insight from the data.

Beyond the paddle-wheel mechanism: Elucidating the microscopic lithium ion transport in solid-state electrolytes for next-generation batteries

Researchers discovered that lithium ions move through cooperative rearrangement of 'ion cages' formed by surrounding anions, not the previously proposed paddle-wheel mechanism. This finding provides new guidelines for designing safe and high-performance solid electrolytes.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2026

Finding order in disorder: A new mechanism that amplifies transverse electron transport

A study by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology discovered that engineered disorder can amplify transverse electron transport in magnetic materials. The findings suggest that deliberately using disorder in materials design could lead to new opportunities in spintronics and thermoelectric energy-conversion technologies.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 24, 2026

Ultrasonic welding creates lithium-garnet interface in seconds

Researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research developed an unprecedented method to bond lithium metal directly to garnet-type oxide electrolyte using ultrasonic welding. This technique reduces interfacial resistance and establishes direct solid-state contact without melting or thermal activation.

Thorny issue plaguing lithium-ion batteries laid bare in new study

Researchers directly measured lithium dendrites' mechanical strength, finding they exhibit unexpectedly high strength and brittle behavior under stress. The study provides insights into how dendrites respond to physical stresses within a battery cell, shedding light on the challenge of scale and access that hindered previous research.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2026

Illinois Tech researcher finds where lithium ions reside in new solid-state electrolyte that could lead to improved batteries

Researchers at Illinois Tech developed a new material with high ionic conductivity and low activation energy, enabling the efficient storage and release of energy. The material's unique structure allows lithium ions to move freely, even at cold temperatures, making it promising for applications in electric vehicles and energy storage.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2026

The UJI is leading an innovative project on next-generation batteries that could promote diversification in the ceramics industry and benefit companies involved in energy storage

The UJI is leading a project to develop advanced solid electrolytes for lithium and sodium metal batteries using additive manufacturing techniques. This will allow the ceramics industry to explore new avenues for diversification and promote knowledge transfer to the emerging regional energy storage industry.

Flexible solid electrolyte unlocks high-performance fuel cells across extreme temperatures

Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a flexible solid electrolyte material with exceptional proton conductivity and hydrogen gas barrier properties, making it suitable for low- to mid-temperature fuel cells. The material enables stable operation across a wide temperature range, from -10 °C to 140 °C, and shows promise for ...

SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2025

Unlocking the potential of 4.7 V solid-state 18650 cylindrical lithium metal batteries: A leap forward in long cycle-life and safety

Researchers develop a gel polymer electrolyte with a localized high-concentration solvation structure, enabling solid-state batteries to operate at 4.7 V with high energy density and cycling stability. The new electrolyte also exhibits exceptional safety characteristics, including no electrolyte leakage or combustion.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2025

Diagnosing a dud may lead to a better battery

A team of chemists from Virginia Tech found a way to visualize the intricate structure and chemical reactions of battery interfaces using an X-ray beam line. This breakthrough enables researchers to gain better control over these critical surfaces, potentially leading to cheaper, higher performance batteries.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 1, 2025

Novel solid-state electrolyte developed to enhance performance of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

Researchers developed a novel sulfide-based solid electrolyte with exceptional ionic conductivity, achieving high cycling stability and compatibility with various cathode and anode materials. The study enhances the performance of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries with wide temperature adaptability and long cycle life.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 20, 2025

A rule-changer for ceramic fuel cells

Researchers develop novel function of semiconductor-ionic conductor (SIC) using Cu-Sm co-doping ceria, achieving superionic transport property and excellent fuel cell performance. The co-doped electrolyte features a denser grain network with smaller boundaries, improving ion mobility and supporting strong phase stability.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·DateMar 19, 2025

Conjugated phthalocyanine framework-based artificial SEI for high-voltage lithium metal battery

Researchers developed a conjugated phthalocyanine framework with enhanced electron-withdrawal properties and flexibility, leading to improved capacities, rate capabilities, and cyclic stability in high-voltage lithium metal batteries. The framework also showed longer operating life and higher capacity retention.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2025

Safe, powerful, stable: Ultrathin solid electrolyte design for all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries

Researchers developed an electrochemically stable and ultrathin polymer-based solid electrolyte, exhibiting over 2100 hours of stable battery cycling in Li-symmetric cells. The study offers a new approach for fabricating ultrathin solid electrolytes and provides insights into the mechanisms of dendrite-free formation.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·DateDec 18, 2024

Fluoride-free batteries: Safeguarding the environment and enhancing performance

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a non-fluorinated battery system to comply with environmental regulations and enhance battery performance. The innovative 'APA-LC' system, entirely free of fluorinated compounds, shows improved oxidation stability and higher capacity retention.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 26, 2024

New age electrode with densely functionalized polymeric binder for high-performance lithium and sodium-ion batteries

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a densely functionalized polymeric binder for high-performance lithium and sodium-ion batteries. The new material showed exceptional electrochemical performance, high capacities, and great cycle stability.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateSep 17, 2024

HKUST engineering researchers develop advanced solid-state electrolytes for high-performance all-solid-state lithium metal batteries

Researchers at HKUST have developed a novel strategy to create solid-state electrolytes with high performance, achieving exceptional ionic conductivity and lithium-ion transport capability. The new electrolyte enabled the fabrication of a full cell demonstrating an initial discharge capacity of 141.5 mAh g−1 at room temperature.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2024

Recycled micro-sized silicon anodes from photovoltaic waste improve lithium-ion battery performance

Researchers have developed low-cost micro-sized silicon anodes from recycled photovoltaic waste using a novel electrolyte design. The new anodes exhibit remarkable electrochemical stability, maintaining an average coulombic efficiency of 99.94% after 200 cycles. This breakthrough addresses the major challenges facing micro-sized silico...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

Research to enable cheaper and safer battery storage

Researchers developed a unique electrochemical ultrasonic force microscopy (EC-UFM) technique to observe sodium-ion battery interfaces during operation. The new method guides passivating layer formation, preserving charge carrier transport and enhancing battery performance.

SourceLancaster University·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

Beyond lithium: new solid state ZnI2 battery design opens doors for sustainable energy storage

Researchers have developed a new class of fluorinated block copolymers as solid electrolytes for solid-state ZnI2 batteries, promoting stable fluoride-rich SEI layer and preventing zinc dendrite growth. The battery demonstrates excellent cycle performance, maintaining stability for approximately 5000 hours at room temperature.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2024

“The magic of making electricity from metals and air” The vexing carbonate has achieved it!

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a high-energy, high-efficiency all-solid-state sodium-air battery that can reversibly utilize sodium and air without additional equipment. The breakthrough overcomes the challenge of carbonate formation, increasing energy density and reducing voltage gap.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 28, 2024

A breakthrough in all-solid-state battery technology, enhancing the performance of the lithium from the bottom

A research team developed an anode protection layer to prevent random electrodeposition of lithium, promoting stable 'bottom electrodeposition' and reducing unnecessary consumption. The breakthrough results in all-solid-state batteries with stable electrochemical performance over extended periods using ultrathin lithium metal anodes.

What heat can tell us about battery chemistry: using the Peltier effect to study lithium-ion cells

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has demonstrated a technique to study chemical properties of lithium-ion battery cells by exploiting the Peltier effect. This allows them to experimentally measure the entropy of the lithium-ion electrolyte, which could inform lithium-ion battery design.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateMar 8, 2024

Researchers overview recent progress and challenges in silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Researchers have made significant advancements in silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, including the development of binders, composites, and electrolytes. However, Si-based anodes still face challenges such as volume expansion, lower electrical conductivity, and inconsistent kinetics reaction.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 31, 2024

New material allows for better hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells

Researchers have developed a solid electrolyte that allows for efficient hydride ion conduction at room temperature, enabling the creation of safer, more efficient hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells. This breakthrough provides material design guidelines for the development of next-generation energy storage solutions.

SourceRIKEN·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateDec 21, 2023

A step on the way to solid-state batteries

Researchers developed a sinter-free method for efficient, low-temperature synthesis of lithium ceramic, enabling the creation of solid-state batteries with higher power density and lower production costs. This breakthrough could accelerate the transition to electric vehicles by reducing the reliance on conventional lithium-ion batteries.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2023