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An in-built fluoropolyether-based quasi-solid-state polymer electrolyte enables high-capacity lithium-rich manganese-based layered oxide cathodes with stable interfaces, achieving 604 Wh kg⁻¹ pouch-cell energy density.

High-performance polymer electrolytes are highly sought after in the development of solid-state batteries. Lynden Archer and co-workers report an in situ polymerization of liquid electrolytes in a lithium battery for creating promising polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and low interfacial resistance.

The chemistry of the discharge products of metal–oxygen batteries is related to the battery's efficiency but knowledge of their formation mechanism is incomplete. Now, the initial discharge product in sodium–oxygen batteries is shown to be sodium superoxide, which undergoes dissolution and then transforms to sodium peroxide dihydrate.

There is intensive research effort in suppressing lithium dendrite growth in lithium batteries. Here, the authors report the use of a crosslinked nanoparticle-polymer composite membrane with high mechanical strength and ionic conductivity which enables stable cycling of lithium metal batteries.

Rechargeable sodium-sulfur batteries able to operate stably at room temperature are sought-after platforms as they can achieve high storage capacity from inexpensive electrode materials. Here, the authors use rationally selected cathode and electrolyte materials to design a room temperature Na-S battery.

The lowering of polymer viscosity upon addition of small amounts of nanoparticles is counter-intuitive and has puzzled researchers. Here, Mangal et al. explain this intriguing phenomenon using a model polymer–nanocomposite system comprised of well-dispersed nanoparticles in an entangled polymer melt.

Aqueous zinc batteries attract interest because of their potential for cost-effective and safe electricity storage. Here, the authors develop an in situ formed ion-oligomer nanometric interphase strategy to enable fast-charge aqueous Zn cells.

Using metal anodes could in principle boost the energy density of batteries but their electrodeposition often negatively impacts battery performance. Here the authors propose an oxygen-mediated metal–substrate bonding strategy to regulate metal deposition and demonstrate highly reversible Al and Zn anodes.

Lithium metal batteries offer high-capacity electrical energy storage but suffer from poor reversibility of the metal anode. Here, the authors report that at very high capacities, lithium deposits as dense structures with a preferred crystallite orientation, yielding highly reversible lithium anodes.

Here the authors use cationic chain transfer agents to prevent degradation of ether electrolytes by arresting uncontrolled polymer growth at the anode. This work provides a fundamental strategy for extending the high voltage stability of these electrolytes to potentials above conventionally accepted limits.

An energy-dense hydraulic fluid is used to construct a synthetic circulatory system in a lionfish-like soft robot, enabling untethered movement for up to 36 hours.

Solid-electrolyte interphases (SEI) play important roles in battery operations. Here, the authors report hybrid anodes by forming a Sn overlayer on alkali metal electrodes, leading to a robust SEI and consequently improved electrochemical performance.

To address some critical issues facing Li metal batteries, the authors design cross-linked polymer networks to serve as either Li metal anode coatings or all solid-state electrolytes. Their favorable polymer chemistry is found responsible for the impressive performance of Li||NCM full cells.

Non-uniform metal deposition and dendrite formation on negative electrodes during repeated cycling are major hurdles to commercialization of batteries. Electrodeposited lithium in liquid electrolytes reinforced with halogenated salt blends has now been used for lithium cells, and exhibits stable long-term cycling.

The chemistry at the interface between electrolyte and electrode plays a critical role in determining battery performance. Here, the authors show that a NaBr enriched solid–electrolyte interphase can lower the surface diffusion barrier for sodium ions, enabling stable electrodeposition.

A well-designed artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (ASEI) could help resolve multiple problems associated with the use of metallic Li anodes in batteries. Here, the authors develop a Langmuir–Blodgett method to produce an ASEI composed of functionalized graphene oxide with a compatible electrolyte formulation, which facilitates a stable cycling of Li metal batteries.

We explore the challenges and opportunities for electrochemical energy storage technologies that harvest active materials from their surroundings. Progress hinges on advances in chemical engineering science related to membrane design; control of mass transport, reaction kinetics and precipitation at electrified interfaces; and regulation of electrocrystallization of metals through substrate design.

Direct observation of the anode–electrolyte interface in a lithium-metal battery, without removing the liquid electrolyte, reveals two types of dendrites, one of which may contribute disproportionately to capacity fade.

Solid-state batteries based on electrolytes with low or zero vapour pressure provide a promising path towards safe, energy-dense storage of electrical energy. In this Review, we consider the requirements and design rules for solid-state electrolytes based on inorganics, organic polymers and organic–inorganic hybrids.

The development of rechargeable batteries that use metallic lithium anodes faces challenges such as dendrite formation. Here the authors review recent advances in preventing the proliferation of dendrite and discuss design principles for electrolytes and interfaces in lithium-metal batteries.