Building better batteries with chemistry’s toolbox

Over the last three decades, the demand for lithium-ion batteries has skyrocketed, driven by their widespread use in portable electronics, stationary energy storage systems and electric vehicles. Yet, despite their impressive performance metrics, their reliance on transition metals has started to stain their all-star reputation. Supply chain vulnerabilities, material scarcity and emissions from extraction and processing are all starting to surface, raising concerns about this powerhouse technology. The publication of the milestone article ‘Building Better Batteries’  by Michel Armand and Jean-Marie Tarascon in 2008 inspired many scientists to embark on a journey to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries and explore more sustainable battery chemistries.