Powerful and sustainable energy storage systems are needed to make better use of renewable energies such as solar and wind power. However, today’s lithium-ion batteries rely on materials that are rare and expensive and are often extracted under problematic conditions. Lithium-sulphur (Li-S) batteries offer a promising alternative: They store more energy and use sulphur, a substance that is inexpensive and widely available.
While battery technology is well-established, the precise chemical reaction mechanisms of sulfur during charging and discharging in Li-S batteries are not yet fully understood – specifically, which intermediate compounds form, how they evolve, and how this affects the batteries’ performance. Lavinia Saltarelli's research aims to close this knowledge gap.
She will be observing these reactions inside Li-S batteries in real time, using advanced microscopy and data analysis. By mapping exactly how and when certain compounds form and change during operation, the research will help design smarter, more efficient batteries that require fewer inactive materials – ultimately making Li-S batteries longer-lasting and closer to real-world application.
“This project’s advances are expected to deliver cheaper, safer, longer lasting solid-state Li–S batteries that could surpass today’s lithium-ion technology and accelerate progress toward the zero emissions goal through more environmentally friendly energy storage systems,” explains Lavinia Saltarelli, who is currently conducting research at Aalto University in Finland and will start her research work at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) on July 1.
