Lithium-Ion and Solid-State Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have served as the cornerstone of the portable electronics revolution and the ongoing electrification of transport. However, as application demands escalate toward higher energy density, improved safety, and prolonged cycle life, the inherent limitations of current lithium-ion technology are becoming increasingly evident. These challenges have spurred intensive research into next-generation alternatives. Solid-state batteries, based on non-flammable solid electrolytes, represent a paradigm shift in battery architecture. They not only promise improved safety but also enable the integration of advanced anodes such as lithium metal and silicon, paired with high-voltage cathodes.

This section is dedicated to advancing the fundamental materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering challenges underlying both lithium-ion and solid-state battery systems. We place particular emphasis on understanding and controlling the intricate relationships among composition, structure, interfaces, and performance. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among experimental, theoretical, and engineering communities, we aim to accelerate the translation of laboratory-scale discoveries into robust, sustainable, and commercially viable energy storage solutions.

The "Lithium-Ion and Solid-State Batteries" section welcomes original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and critical perspectives that advance the fundamental knowledge and practical development of these technologies. We seek contributions that explore novel electrode and electrolyte materials, probe interfacial phenomena, elucidate degradation and failure mechanisms, and address critical challenges such as lithium dendrite suppression, interfacial compatibility, and scalable material synthesis. Studies tackling the key roadblocks to commercialization, including scalable material synthesis, interfacial stability, and the integration of solid-state components into viable cell designs, are particularly encouraged.

Topics covered in this section include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Anode materials (including lithium metal, silicon, and other high-capacity anodes)
• Cathode materials (including high-voltage and high-capacity materials)
• Liquid electrolytes
• Solid-state electrolytes (inorganic, polymer, and composite systems)
• Hybrid and semi-solid electrolytes
• Electrode–electrolyte interfaces and interphases
• Solid–solid interfacial engineering
• Lithium dendrite mechanisms and mitigation strategies
• Ion transport and interface stability
• Mechanical behavior of solid-state systems
• Cell design and engineering
• Thin-film and microscale batteries
• Anode-free battery architectures
• In situ and operando characterization techniques
• Multiscale modeling and simulation
• Degradation and failure mechanisms
• Synthesis and processing of battery materials
• Scalable manufacturing of battery materials
• Sustainability and life-cycle assessment
• Emerging battery concepts