Three types of next generation batteries are currently being envisaged among the international community: metal-air batteries, multivalent cation batteries and all-solid-state batteries. These battery designs require high-performance, safe and cost effective electrolytes that are compatible with optimized electrode materials. Solid electrolytes have not yet been extensively employed in commercial batteries as they suffer from poor ionic conduction at acceptable temperatures and insufficient stability with respect to lithium-metal. Here we show a novel type of glasses, which evolve from an antiperovskite structure and that show the highest ionic conductivity ever reported for the Li-ion (25 mS cm⁻¹ at 25 °C). These glassy electrolytes for lithium batteries are inexpensive, light, recyclable, non-flammable and non-toxic. Moreover, they present a wide electrochemical window (higher than 8 V) and thermal stability within the application range of temperatures.

Global energy demand is rapidly increasing due to population and economic growth, especially in large emerging countries, which will account for 90% of energy demand growth to 2035. Electric vehicles (EVs) play a paramount role in the electrification revolution towards the reduction of the carbon footprint. Here, we review all the major trends in Li-ion batteries technologies used in EVs. We conclude that only five types of cathodes are used and that most of the EV companies use Nickel Manganese Cobalt oxide (NMC). Most of the Li-ion batteries anodes are graphite-based. Positive and negative electrodes are reviewed in detail as well as future trends such as the effort to reduce the Cobalt content. The electrolyte is a liquid/gel flammable solvent usually containing a LiFeP${}_6$ salt. The electrolyte makes the battery and battery pack unsafe, which drives the research and development to replace the flammable liquid by a solid electrolyte.

We introduce a new phenomenological one-scale model for the evolution of domain wall networks, and test it against high-resolution field theory numerical simulations. We argue that previous numerical estimates of wall velocities are inaccurate, and suggest a more accurate method of measurement. We show that the model provides an adequate approximation to the evolution of key parameters characterizing the evolution of the network. We use the model to study possible scaling solutions for domain wall networks, and discuss some of their cosmological consequences.

We have studied the cosmological evolution of domain wall networks in two, three, and four spatial dimensions using high-resolution field theory simulations. The dynamical range and number of our simulations is larger than in previous works, but does not allow us to exclude previous hints of deviations to the naively expected scale-invariant evolution. These results therefore suggest that the approach of domain wall networks to linear scaling is a much slower process than that of cosmic strings, which has been previously characterized in detail.

Structural power composites stand out as a possible solution to the demands of the modern transportation system of more efficient and eco-friendly vehicles. Recent studies demonstrated the possibility to realize these components endowing high-performance composites with electrochemical properties. The aim of this paper is to present a systematic review of the recent developments on this more and more sensitive topic. Two main technologies will be covered here: (1) the integration of commercially available lithium-ion batteries in composite structures, and (2) the fabrication of carbon fiber-based multifunctional materials. The latter will be deeply analyzed, describing how the fibers and the polymeric matrices can be synergistically combined with ionic salts and cathodic materials to manufacture monolithic structural batteries. The main challenges faced by these emerging research fields are also addressed. Among them, the maximum allowable curing cycle for the embedded configuration and the realization that highly conductive structural electrolytes for the monolithic solution are noteworthy. This work also shows an overview of the multiphysics material models developed for these studies and provides a clue for a possible alternative configuration based on solid-state electrolytes.