Lithium-ion batteries are the dominant power source for portable electronics and are quickly penetrating electric vehicle and grid energy storage markets. To increase the deployment of advanced battery technologies for large scale energy storage, battery energy density and safety are two key considerations. From the perspective of energy density, silicon anodes and rechargeable Li metal battery technology have been extensively studied recently and demonstrated promise in combination with high energy cathode materials. However, long-term cyclability and the associated dendrite problems of a Li anode under realistic conditions are major obstacles for practical applications. Innovative approaches from new materials, electrolytes, and electrode design are urgently needed. In addition, cell safety at high energy conditions is critical to the advancement of rechargeable batteries, requiring deeper examination of failure mechanisms across multiple scales.

Toward that end, this symposium will cover current and emerging technologies to: 1) extend cycle life of high-energy Li batteries with advanced liquid or solid electrolytes, and 2) increase battery safety and resilience during operation. The topics include, but are not limited to, new concepts of high energy materials, electrolytes ranging from liquid to polymer to solid state, new fundamental understanding of both materials and interfaces, and new designs to enable a device to fail gracefully during abusive events and minimize or mitigate failure propagation. Also of interest to this symposium is multi-physics modeling, from gradual degradation pathways to catastrophic thermal runaway events, to guide the design of new energy storage technologies with inherently safer materials.

calorimetry electrical properties energy storage intercalated simulation