Tracing the steps of a battery’s ‘hopping’ ions
Enhancing battery design, efficiency, and lifespan through understanding ion behavior in electrolytes.
Solid-state batteries stand as the beacon of next-generation energy storage, promising safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting power solutions for everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which rely on liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte material to ferry ions between the battery’s electrodes. This shift offers numerous advantages, including increased energy density, faster charging times, and enhanced safety.
However, despite their potential, solid-state batteries face significant hurdles, particularly concerning ion transport within the solid electrolyte. Understanding how ions move through this material is crucial for optimizing battery performance and longevity.
Until recently, scientists lacked a clear picture of the intricate dance of ions within solid-state batteries at the atomic level.
In a groundbreaking study published in the prestigious journal Nature, researchers from the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Oxford University, and Newcastle University shed new light on this enigmatic process.
