Manufacturing strategies for next generation lithium-based batteries

The advancement in novel manufacturing techniques like 3D printing has enabled the assembly of different solid electrolytes (polymeric, inorganic, and composites) in a more advanced geometric configuration that could potentially achieve the requirement for complex-shaped or micro/nanoscale batteries. In our review article, some challenges associated with manufacturing solid electrolytes via 3D printing such as air/moisture sensitivity of samples, printing resolution, scale-up capability, and longterm sintering for inorganic solid electrolytes have been put forward.

(Hanrui Zhang and Weixi Tian)

Lithium extraction

With the rapid increase in lithium consumption for electric vehicle applications, its price soared during the past decade. To secure a reliable and costeffective supply chain, it is critical to unlock alternative lithium extraction resources beyond conventional brine. We aim to develop an effective and advanced electrochemical method to directly leach lithium from lithium mineral. 

(Hanrui Zhang and Yifang Ding)

Advanced spectroscopy for solvation structure

Correlating the solvation structure and thermodynamic properties with transport properties serves as the foundation for electrolyte design. While various physicochemical properties, such as relative solvating power, solvation energy, and spectroscopies have been used to study ion solvation, fundamental investigations in thermodynamic properties of solvation equilibrium across broad temperature ranges are not available. We aim to reveal the solvation structure of alkaline ion and quantify thermodynamics properties by using in-situ spectroscopy techniques for understanding thermodynamics process of electrolyte-electrode interphase.

(Yanjun Guo and Dongliang Chen)

Optical fiber sensor for thermodynamics

Monitoring the dynamic chemical and thermal behavior of a cell during operation provides critical insights into reaction kinetics and degradation mechanisms. To reveal battery structural evolution and quantify heat generation, we aim to correlate entropy and enthalpy changes with degradation phenomena by analyzing electrochemical and thermal signals captured using fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs). This approach enables a deeper understanding of the thermodynamic processes that govern battery performance and aging.

(Jianyu Li)

Electrochemical double layer structure

The electrode-electrolyte interface governs the kinetics and reversibility of all electrochemical processes. Elucidating the dynamics and heterogeneity of electrical double layer (EDL) is crucial, where a variety of essential electrochemical processes occur, e.g., electrostatic adsorption, specific adsorption, metal plating/stripping, intercalation, electrocatalysis and the formation of permanent interphases. We aim to reveal the full picture of complex EDL structure by understanding the ionic distribution across interface, interfacial potential profile, and associated nanoscale dimension. Further correlating the EDL structure with electrochemical behaviors opens a new world for future electrolyte design.

(Yanjun Guo and Dongliang Chen)