Project Overview

Environmental impact of the gasoline-based vehicles has led to an urgent need to electrify the transportation sector. Rechargeable battery technologies, such as Li-ion batteries, are being considered for electric vehicles. However, current Li-ion batteries still have drawbacks due to the limited capacity and safety hazards since they contain a flammable electrolyte. Thus, it is necessary to develop safe, high-energy density and long-life cycle next-generation solid state lithium batteries.

Solid state battery is a battery technology that uses high capacity solid lithium anode and cathode as well as solid electrolyte. Under electrochemical cycling conditions, it naturally forms interphases between the multiphase heterogeneous materials within electrolyte and electrodes as well as their interfaces. Interphase compatibility issues as well as high contact resistance hamper the implementation of solid state batteries.

The proposed research will improve the overall performance of solid state batteries by enhancing interphase wettability, increasing contact area and implementing interfacial shields and provide key insights into the utilization of solid state lithium batteries in electric vehicles.