Breakfast with Networking – Sponsored by AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS

LBNL (Tutorial A): Composite Electrodes and Electrode Binders for Lithium-ion and Advanced Battery Chemistries

Battery electrodes are polymer composite materials, comprising high contents of lithium-ion storage materials and a small amount of polymer electrode binder. The polymer binder serves multiple functions in the composite electrode. The structure of the composite determines the electrode’s performance. New energy storage materials and chemistries, such as solid-state batteries, also require multifunctional electrode binders. This tutorial will focus on composite electrode properties and multifunctional binders.

UCSD (Tutorial B): Pushing the Boundaries of Energy Density with Li-rich Cathodes

After decades of material development, battery energy density is reaching a plateau as NMC approaches ≥90% nickel and the reversible capacity reaches 200–225 mAh/g. In order to further increase the capacity, the cathode needs more lithium. Two families of Li-rich cathodes—layered and disordered rocksalt—contain excess lithium (on the order of 20% more) and can reach capacities of 250–300 mAh/g. This talk will describe the promises and challenges of Li-rich cathodes.

STANFORD (Tutorial C): Molecular Understanding and Design Approaches for Developing Beyond-Li-ion Batteries

The tutorial will cover recent progress in the understanding of the challenges in developing next-generation beyond-Li-ion batteries, as well as the development of molecularly designed liquid electrolytes and polymers for (i) stabilizing high-energy-density lithium metal batteries and (ii) improving lithium-sulfur batteries toward practicality.

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON (Tutorial D): The Rise of Sodium-ion Batteries

Powering hundreds of millions of portable devices, rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion batteries have performed admirably as the linchpin technology enabling today’s mobile electronics industry. Finding alternatives to the Li-ion battery appears a crucial priority in diversifying energy storage technologies. When the life-cycle analysis is examined in the design of batteries, sodium (Na) is attractive because it can be “harvested” directly from seawater, making Na ∼50 times lower in cost than Li.

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY (Tutorial E): Predicting Short Circuit Due to Accidental Mechanical Abuse of Lithium-ion Batteries

This tutorial presents methods to predict internal short circuits in lithium-ion batteries under mechanical abuse. It covers failure mechanisms, experimental characterization, and multi-scale modeling approaches to assess short-circuit risk, with a focus on translating material-level damage to system-level safety predictions in electric vehicles and other high-impact applications.

AND BATTERY AERO (Tutorial F): Battery Powered Aerial Platform – Cell Selection, System Design and Engineering Tradeoffs

This tutorial explores battery system design, cell selection, and optimization strategies for high performance airborne applications such as drones, UAVs, and electric aircraft. It covers Li-ion advancements, emerging technologies like silicon anodes, lithium-metal cells, and future chemistries capable of achieving 1,000 Wh/kg. Attendees will gain insights into enhancing specific energy, safety, and performance via cell, stack, and system-level decisions.