Next-generation batteries could redefine the future of energy storage
University of Sharjah
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Self-healing polymer electrolytes for next-generation lithium batteries.
view moreCredit: Credit: Renewable Energy - Volume 3: Energy Storage Systems - Fuel Cells, Supercapacitors, and Batteries. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-29875-2.00015-2
By Emenyonu Ogadimma, University of Sharjah
Drawing on an extensive survey of emerging battery chemistries and design innovations, researchers at the University of Sharjah are pointing to transformative technologies poised to meet the escalating energy demands of an increasingly electrified world.
Yet, despite the rapid advancements, they caution that today’s lithium-ion systems are nearing their theoretical performance. This reality underscores the urgent need for new materials, safer designs, and more sustainable alternatives capable of supporting the infrastructure of electric energy and meeting the world’s almost insatiable thirst for clean energy.
These insights are presented in a newly published study within the volume titled Renewable Energy - Volume 3: Energy Storage Systems - Fuel Cells, Supercapacitors, and Batteries. The work “discusses the current trends in battery technology and explores the potential for next-generation batteries. It emphasizes the growing demand for energy storage devices in different sectors, with rapid technological advancements in society.”
The study examines the rising adoption of automation, electric transportation, and renewable energy storage. It also details the limitations of current battery systems and identifies the critical factors that must guide the design of next-generation battery technologies.
“New technologies utilized in modifying traditional batteries to meet the growing demand across different sectors are briefly stated,” the authors note, adding that “the 2030 roadmap for the development of next-generation battery technology is discussed.”
From their wide-ranging assessment of the current electric battery landscape, the authors find that the future hinges on building systems with high power and energy densities. Together, these characteristics promise “solutions across many applications,” highlighting the sector’s vast potential for improvement and innovation in pursuit of “better energy efficiency, safety, affordability, and sustainability.”
Limits of lithium-ion technology verses rising demand
The authors emphasize that rapid technological advancement is driving an unprecedented surge in demand for energy storage devices, particularly in the field of electric mobility. Their data indicates that electric transportation alone could account for nearly 89% of all battery applications by 2030, underscoring the sector’s dominant influence on future battery markets.
They further warn that global battery manufacturing capacity must expand dramatically to meet this surge in demand. According to their estimates, “Annual production must be close to 6700 GWh in 2031. By 2050, it is anticipated that the base metal production (e.g., copper, aluminum, nickel) might increase five- to sixfold. As far as lithium is concerned, the metal demand could be much higher (almost 100 times its current level).”
Such massive expansion raises urgent concerns about the long-term availability and sustainability of key resources, especially lithium for long-term utilization. The authors note that although lithium-based batteries dominate the market and are extensively studied, “it is equally important to explore other metal-based batteries. This will reduce the dependence on a particular battery type and might even open opportunities for new and advanced applications.”
With continued development, the authors project the energy density of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to reach “500 Wh kg−1 by 2030,” but safety and long-term stability remain among the major challenges. One of the most critical barriers to overcome relates to thermal runaway, which they describe as “a major limiting factor” triggered by electrode decomposition and excessive heat generation. The study also emphasizes that efforts to push energy density can introduce new trade-offs.
LIBs, or lithium-ion batteries, are widely valued for their high performance. They combine rechargeability with high energy density and long cycle life. These qualities make them the leading choice for power grid storage, portable electronics, and electric vehicles.
However, the authors caution that the drive to design large-capacity, high-energy-density power batteries has some inherent risks to address. They argue that such designs “may lead to compromises in safety or cycle performance.” For this reason, they assert that any strategy to boost energy density “must consider various factors for enhancing the performance that do not compromise the battery’s safety.”
Thus, they reiterate that there is limited “development of new process technologies and electrode material systems to achieve high energy density in LIBs.”
Beyond Lithium-Ion: Exploring New Battery Chemistries
As lithium-ion systems approach their practical performance limits, researchers are increasingly shifting their focus toward alternative battery chemistries that promise higher energy potential and lower cost. The authors highlight growing interest in technologies such as lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries and sodium, zinc, and aluminum batteries which they see as viable next-generation options.
Over the last five years, there has been significant interest in Li–S battery research due to their high theoretical energy density and lower material cost. The authors note that “there is a possibility of Li-S being a better alternative to the Li-ion battery market,” emphasizing their future potential to become the most promising next-generation options to conventional LIBs.
However, despite rapid research progress, the authors caution that commercialization remains challenging, with persistent issues such as dendrite growth, shuttle effects, and limited cycle life hindering large-scale deployment.
Another promising pathway toward higher future density, according to the authors, is lithium-metal batteries. Replacing graphite anodes with lithium metal can significantly boost battery energy density from about 250 to as high as 440 Wh kg⁻¹, they note. This translates into significantly additional energy stored in the same space. Yet, they stress that this advantage comes with serious safety concerns. Lithium metal is prone to dendrites that can penetrate separators and cause short circuits, and it reacts easily with flammable electrolytes.
To mitigate these risks, the authors emphasize that innovations in electrolyte design are crucial. They highlight approaches such as “localized high-concentration electrolytes” and solid-state electrolytes to improve safety and reduce dendrite growth.
Meanwhile, they add that lithium–air batteries are being explored for electric vehicle applications due to their exceptionally high theoretical energy density. “Lithium-air batteries use oxygen to achieve ultra-high energy density,” with theoretical values reaching “3505 Wh kg-1.” The central challenge, however, is developing systems capable of operating safely in ambient air rather than relying on pure oxygen environments.
For large-scale renewable energy storage, the authors point to flow batteries, particularly redox flow batteries (RFBs), as practical candidates. Their ability to store their electrolytes in external tanks allows energy and power to scale independently, making them especially suitable for long-duration grid applications.
Beyond advances in chemistry, the authors argue that the next generation of batteries will rely heavily on new, user-oriented functionalities. One promising example is self-healing polymer electrolytes, which can repair internal damage during operation, slowing degradation and extending lifespan.
The authors note that integrating such materials “can ensure a long cycling lifetime. The financial and safety challenges of current battery technology can be addressed. Self-healing is possible to achieve when the material has the required structural traits that respond automatically to a stimulus and initiate the restoration of the original properties without external intervention.”
Micro-batteries are also expected to become increasingly important, particularly in healthcare monitoring and Internet of Things devices. Another emerging direction is biodegradable batteries, especially for medical applications, where power sources must be “nontoxic and reliable with high energy density,” the authors contend.
Looking further ahead, the study highlights the European BATTERY 2030+ initiative as a strategic roadmap for transforming these concepts into practical technologies. Rather than focusing on a single chemistry, the initiative promotes a chemistry-neutral strategy, aiming to accelerate the discovery of interfaces and materials, incorporate smart functionalities such as sensing and self-healing, and advance the manufacturing and recycling processes.
The authors emphasize that artificial intelligence and machine learning are expected to play a central role in this transition. These tools can spur research to go beyond the current slow trial-and-error experimentation by enabling predictive design and faster material discovery.
Summing-up: toward a sustainable battery future
The authors conclude that next-generation battery development must advance in step with accelerating technological progress and rising energy demand. While lithium-ion batteries remain critical to today’s energy-storage landscape, they emphasize that emerging systems, including metal-sulfur, metal-air, sodium-ion, and advanced flow battery chemistries, are expected to play an increasingly significant role in the future.
They write, “Although Li-ion batteries are currently at the forefront of energy storage, new technologies such as metal-sulfur, metal-air, and organic RFBs are being actively researched. The introduction of sophisticated technology in different applications demands innovative battery designs such as micro-batteries and flexible batteries.
“The research and development of next-generation batteries should be in line with the progress in technology. They should also meet the increasing demand for energy consumption. In short, batteries with enhanced performance, flexibility in design, and simple integration are anticipated in all sectors.”
Innovations such as solid-state electrolytes, self-healing materials, flexible and micro-scale battery designs, biodegradable components, and hybrid storage systems could collectively redefine energy storage for a climate-neutral future. As they observe, “The development of self-healing components in batteries makes them safer and more reliable. Biodegradable batteries are required in the medical industry and also to meet sustainability goals. The chemistry-neutral approach for the development of next-generation batteries… will accelerate current battery research.”
Method of Research
Survey
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Next generation of batteries
Towards unlocking the full potential of sodium- and potassium-ion batteries
Researchers address misconceptions about electrode interphases, paving way to enhanced performance, stability, and efficiency of next-generation batteries
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The electrode-electrolyte interphase, including the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI), governs passivation, stability, and performance in sodium- and potassium-ion batteries.
view moreCredit: Dr. Changhee Lee and Professor Shinichi Komaba from Tokyo University of Science, Japan
As the world is moving towards more sustainable energy solutions, the emergence of next-generation batteries is a crucial and indispensable milestone. One such next-generation battery is the lithium-ion battery (LIB), which has been currently dominating the energy solutions sector. However, lithium is sparsely distributed across geographies, increasing extraction difficulties and battery production cost. Other next-generation batteries, such as sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (KIBs), are promising alternatives to LIBs, offering resource-unconstrained, cost-effective, and sustainable energy storage solutions.
However, as one of the major hurdles for these batteries, the electrochemical behaviors/reactions that occur at the electrode-electrolyte interphase can be highly unstable, leading to reduced performance and shorter battery life. Until now, many aspects of these interphases were often insufficiently elucidated, limiting the potential of NIBs and KIBs for practical applications like grid-scale storage and electric vehicles.
To offer a more precise understanding of the electrode-electrolyte interphase, Assistant Professor Changhee Lee, along with Professor Shinichi Komaba, from the Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo University of Science, Japan, led a systematic review on the properties of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and the cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) of NIBs, KIBs, and LIBs. Going beyond just being a comparative review, the researchers were able to redefine the concept of the interphase layer in alkaline metal-ion batteries. Their paper was published online in the journal Advanced Energy Materials on January 30, 2026.
“We wanted to reconsider the conventional assumption about the ideal interphases and provide detailed principles on their design,” explains Dr. Lee. “The SEI and CEI layers in NIBs and KIBs should be understood from a perspective distinct from that of LIBs, based on their fundamental characteristics such as solubility of SEI/CEI, electrolyte stability, and ionic transport properties. By redefining these interphases, we can fundamentally improve the interfacial stability, which directly translates into safer, longer-lasting batteries.” To this end, the team found that previous misunderstandings about interphase behavior had limited the performance of NIBs and KIBs.
While many developers and researchers recognize that the stability of interphases plays a critical role in rapid capacity degradation and safety issues in batteries, a complete understanding of these interfacial phenomena has been hindered by fundamental limitations in analysis. By taking a unified approach to compare the SEI and CEI layers across NIBs and KIBs, the authors could identify overlooked factors that directly affect battery performance. They suggest that the SEI and CEI layers cannot be considered as static and completely solid, but instead as a dynamic, semi-solid interphase layer. Also, the intrinsic role of binders and mechanisms occurring at the interphases cannot be overlooked or generalized. These findings highlight that careful control of interphase properties through materials choice, electrolyte formulation, and binder selection can significantly extend battery life while maintaining safety and efficiency for next-generation battery systems.
“Even relatively small changes in the interphases can have a dramatic impact on cycle life,” notes Prof. Komaba. “Our work highlights how optimizing these layers for next-generation NIBs and KIBs can open up near-term opportunities to significantly improve battery stability and performance.”
The researchers also investigate the frequently overlooked aspect of self-discharge. Although NIBs and KIBs function at lower cathode potentials, the electrolyte instability and less dense formation of CEI increase the rate of self-discharge. This finding emphasizes the need to understand the chemistry behind self-discharge to improve the long-term stability and commercialization of batteries.
The practical implications of this research are significant. Safer and more durable NIBs and KIBs could be deployed in grid energy storage systems to better manage renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. They could also be used in electric vehicles, power tools, and portable electronics, offering a more sustainable and affordable alternative to LIBs.
In addition to the technical contributions, the study underscores the future perspectives and the existing challenges in this domain. According to Dr. Lee, “This field currently lacks the capability to fully resolve structure and chemistry of the interphases, often deviating from understanding realistic battery environments. By employing multimodal characterization techniques that can investigate the true electrochemical conditions, deeper insights regarding the interphase behavior can be obtained.”
In summary, this research is a significant milestone in updating the conceptual framework of interphase design. By prioritizing interphase design, scientists and engineers can produce efficient NIBs and KIBs, potentially transforming the way energy is stored and used in everyday life.
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Reference
DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202506154
About The Tokyo University of Science
Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and in Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan's development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators.
With a mission of “Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society," TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today's most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field.
Website: https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/
About Assistant Professor Lee Changhee from Tokyo University of Science
Dr. Changhee Lee is an Assistant Professor at the Tokyo University of Science in Japan. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering from Kyoto University, Japan. Previously, he served as a Project Assistant Professor at Kyoto University. His research focuses on next-generation rechargeable battery systems, particularly the interfacial chemistry between electrodes and electrolytes, as well as material development related to Li-, Na-, K-, and F-ion batteries. He has authored more than 45 journal articles in the field of energy materials. He has been awarded multiple times and has been selected as an “Outstanding Overseas Scientist” by the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Funding information
This study was partially funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Program: Data Creation and Utilization Type Materials Research and Development Project (JPMXP1121467561), the JSPS KAKENHI (Grant No. 25H00905, JP24H00042, JP24K17772, 25K23611), and JST ASPIRE (JPMJAP2313), JST GteX (JPMJGX23S4), and JST CREST (JPMJCR21O6). Additional financial support was provided by the Electrochemical Society of Japan, Leave-a-Nest Foundation, the Ichiju Industrial Technology Promotion Foundation, and the Noguchi Institute.
Journal
Advanced Energy Materials
Method of Research
Systematic review
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Comparative Insights and Overlooked Factors of Interphase Chemistry in Alkali Metal-Ion Batteries
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