Safer, less expensive, and larger scale solutions for energy storage require a highly interdisciplinary approach to meet the growing demands of society. Batteries based on intercalation chemistry offer some of the highest energy densities, but presently must compromise in terms of safe operation and price. Developing new materials that can revolutionize energy storage requires a holistic view of these devices, and an understanding of how their constituent materials perform at all length scales; from the unit cell to microstructural morphology.

This symposium will explore the state-of-the-art of materials design for Li-, Na-, and Mg-ion batteries. There will be a strong focus on the development of new intercalation electrodes and solid electrolytes, with particular emphasis on the crystal chemistry that allows reversible (de)intercalation of ions. Contributions are encouraged on in situ and operando techniques used to study changes in electronic structure and local ion coordination environments. The symposium will also explore the complementary insight offered by computational and multiscale modeling for characterizing ion-conduction mechanisms and rates. These sessions will provide a forum where experimental and computational materials scientists can discuss the fundamental and technological challenges of developing new Li-(Na-,Mg-)ion battery materials, and identify ways to overcome present limitations with respect to safety concerns and the high manufacturing costs.

electrical properties energy storage ionic conductor ion-solid interactions nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) x-ray diffraction (XRD) x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)