Pathways towards next-generation batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are the state-of-the-art electrochemical energy storage technology for a wide range of devices, ranging from small portable electronics to (hybrid) electric vehicles and even large-scale stationary storage applications. Their great success over the past few decades has triggered continuously increasing interest in this technology, including potential alternatives that may provide further advances in terms of energy and power density, sustainability, and also geo‑strategic considerations. While the search for new materials and components is still frequently driven by trial and error, most breakthroughs have been made based on an in-depth understanding of the relevant properties and reactions occurring inside the battery cells. Herein, a brief overview of the current state of the art will be provided, along with selected examples for potential pathways towards even higher energy and power densities, reduced costs, and an improved sustainability, focusing on recent fundamental insights, new charge storage and charge transport mechanisms, and remaining challenges.