The emergence of the large-scale grid and electric vehicle (EV) markets calls for lower-cost and more energy dense battery options. Although today’s Li-ion chemistry is mature and has successfully powered portable electronic devices, the massive scale-up of Li-ion battery production required to meet the ever-growing demands in electrochemical energy storage poses significant raw metal sourcing concerns, particularly Li and certain transition metals such as Co and Ni. Hence, alternative and sustainable rechargeable battery chemistries that include, but are not limited to, emerging Na-, K-, Zn-, Mg-, and Ca-based systems, are under intense scrutiny. Notably, significant efforts are being devoted to understanding and addressing key challenges in the development of these so-called “beyond Li-ion” chemistries, and substantial insights into their storage and failure mechanisms have been obtained over the past few years thanks to advanced characterization and computation/modeling techniques.

This symposium aims to highlight recent advances in fundamental materials science, with a focus on beyond Li-ion batteries. Specifically, this symposium will feature research talks on the design and development of novel materials / substances for use as (i) battery electrodes (both cathode and anode), (ii) electrolytes, and presentations addressing the need for an in-depth understanding of energy storage mechanisms through (iii) experimental characterizations and computational analysis, and (iv) emerging computationally-guided and Artificial-Intelligence (AI)/Machine-Learning (ML) driven materials discovery and data analysis. Discussions on such topics will provide an overview of the current status of beyond Li-ion battery technologies, and promote multi-disciplinary approaches to understanding materials design principles for more reliable battery systems.

Ca energy storage in situ K Mg Na operando Zn