Hidden layer in solid-state batteries could unlock faster, safer power storage
New battery tech boosts how quickly ions move in solid-state systems, offering a safer, high-performance alternative to current lithium-ion designs.
Modern lithium-ion batteries power everything from electric vehicles to mobile devices you doomscroll on all day.
But their liquid components can catch fire, and their performance is nearing its limit.
The demand for safer, more powerful alternatives is growing fast, especially as energy storage becomes critical in both commercial and defense sectors.
A research team at the University of Texas at Dallas may have found a path forward.
Their study shows that mixing two solid electrolyte materials forms a layer that boosts ion flow inside solid-state batteries.
This breakthrough could help overcome a key barrier to building safer, high-capacity batteries without liquid electrolytes.
Space charge layer enables faster ion flow
Dr. Laisuo Su, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at UT Dallas, helped lead the study.
He said the effect results from the chemical differences between the two materials.
Su, said:
When the separate solid electrolyte materials make physical contact, a layer forms at their boundary where charged particles, or ions, accumulate due to differences in each material’s chemical potential,
“This effect boosted the movement of ions beyond what either material could achieve by itself.”
He likened the result to an unexpectedly effective combination.
Su, said:
Imagine mixing two ingredients in a recipe and unexpectedly getting a result that is better than either ingredient alone,
The study focused on lithium zirconium chloride and lithium yttrium chloride.
These compounds helped form unique channels that improved ion transport, the researchers said.
Safer alternative to flammable liquid electrolytes
Most lithium-ion batteries rely on flammable liquid electrolytes. Solid-state versions are safer but harder to make efficient.
Ion movement slows down in solids — unless the materials interact the right way.
Su, said:
This discovery suggests a new way to design better solid electrolytes by carefully choosing materials that interact in a way that enhances ionic movement, potentially leading to better-performing solid-state batteries,
BEACONS initiative backs next-gen battery tech
The work is part of UT Dallas’ BEACONS program.
Launched in 2023 with $30 million from the Department of Defense, BEACONS focuses on battery innovation and U.S. manufacturing.
Dr. Kyeongjae Cho, director of BEACONS and a co-corresponding author, said:
Solid-state battery technology is part of our next-gen battery chemistries research at the BEACONS center, and it is expected to enable advanced battery systems to improve the performance of drones for defense applications,
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The program also supports efforts to secure critical materials and train future battery engineers.
Collaboration spans UT Dallas and Texas Tech
Dr. Boyu Wang, a postdoctoral researcher at BEACONS, served as the study’s first author. UT Dallas’ Dr. Yue Zhou also contributed.
Texas Tech researchers Dr. Zeeshan Ahmad, a co-corresponding author, and Md Salman Rabbi Limon collaborated on the project.
The team plans to keep exploring how material interfaces can unlock better battery performance.
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Hidden layer in solid-state batteries could unlock faster, safer power storage, source
