Next generation of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) spans a number of diverse application areas extending from  devices of industry and private households. These applications require safe systems (e.g. no danger of explosion, leakage or electrolyte crystallization/evaporation), capacitance stability during charge/discharge cycles, longer cycle and calendar lives.  Electrochemical reactions in batteries taking place during charge and discharge cycles cause structural changes in materials and components of LIBs leading to drastic reduction in battery performance.

The innovative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries are expected to degrade on interaction with greater amounts of lithium and thus undergo more drastic structural changes. The EU-funded BAT4EVER project focuses on self-healing mechanisms of the micro-damage and loss of material generated during repetitive cycles of charge and discharge. The self-healing material developments of the project are supported with advanced material characterization methods and extensive atomistic modelling of material and component behavior and simulation of battery cells. Further research involves the implementation of those into the prototype stage, compiling sophisticated cell-processes for validation of the self-healing lithium-ion battery components in cell phones through intensive testing.