University of Houston Researchers Discover Breakthrough to Enhance Solid-State Battery Performance and Longevity

University of Houston Scientists Recharge Battery Potential

A recent discovery by researchers at the University of Houston may alleviate low-battery anxiety for many users. For decades, scientists have grappled with understanding the real-time processes occurring within solid-state batteries, making it challenging to extend their lifespan. However, a collaborative effort between a UH research team and Brown University has led to significant breakthroughs using operando scanning electron microscopy, a powerful high-resolution imaging technique. This advancement has provided insights into why solid-state batteries deteriorate and how to mitigate this issue.

“This research addresses a long-standing mystery regarding the failure of solid-state batteries,” said Yan Yao, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UH and the study’s corresponding author, published in the journal *Nature Communications*. “This discovery enables solid-state batteries to function under lower pressure, potentially reducing the need for bulky external casings and enhancing overall safety.”

Previously, scientists recognized that incorporating small amounts of metals, such as magnesium, into lithium negative electrodes could enhance battery performance, but the underlying reasons remained unclear. Yao, who is also the principal investigator at the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH, explained that over time, tiny voids form within the battery, merging into larger gaps that ultimately lead to failure. The research team discovered that adding alloying elements like magnesium can effectively close these voids, allowing the battery to maintain functionality.

“We captured real-time, high-resolution videos of the internal processes of a battery while it was operating under a scanning electron microscope,” said Lihong Zhao, the first author of this study and a former postdoctoral researcher in Yao’s lab, now an assistant professor at UH. “With a minor adjustment to the battery’s chemistry, we can significantly enhance its performance, particularly under practical conditions such as low pressure.”

This discovery represents a substantial advancement for electric vehicles (EVs). Currently, solid-state batteries are not ideal for everyday use in vehicles. While they possess fire-resistant properties and the potential for high energy density, they require high external stack pressure to remain intact during operation. “By carefully modifying the battery’s chemistry, we can significantly reduce the pressure necessary for stability,” Zhao stated. “This breakthrough brings solid-state batteries much closer to real-world applications in EVs.”

Furthermore, this research could help prevent batteries in smartphones and other electronic devices from overheating or catching fire, potentially allowing them to last longer on a single charge. “Our goal is to make future energy storage more reliable for everyone,” Zhao added.

Yue Qi from Brown University, an expert in computational materials, contributed theoretical analyses and served as the co-corresponding author of this research. Other contributors included Min Feng from Brown, along with Chaoshan Wu, Liqun Guo, Zhaoyang Chen, Samprash Risal, and Zheng Fan from UH, as well as Qing Ai and Jun Lou from Rice University. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy’s Battery 500 Consortium under the Vehicle Technologies Program.

“The team intends to build on this alloy concept by investigating additional metals that might further enhance battery performance,” Zhao concluded.