On March 25, Tsinghua News Network reported that lithium metal batteries are widely regarded as a next-generation, high-potential energy storage technology. However, one persistent challenge is the tendency for their anodes to develop dendrites during charging and discharging cycles. These dendrites can induce short circuits within the battery, posing significant safety risks. Moreover, they contribute to the buildup of inactive lithium, which in turn reduces the battery's operational lifespan. While solid-state electrolytes are seen as a promising solution to this issue, completely preventing the growth of lithium dendrites along grain boundaries or defects remains difficult. Consequently, a critical challenge for the practical deployment of lithium metal batteries is how to effectively regulate lithium deposition to achieve a dendrite-free and uniform deposition process.

Recently, researchers have made significant strides in suppressing lithium dendrites through innovative material design and structural engineering. For instance, a team from East China Normal University developed a composite solid electrolyte that incorporates an LGPS-LPSC composite interlayer. This design effectively blocks lithium dendrites from penetrating the electrolyte, thereby enhancing the battery's safety and cycle stability. Furthermore, researchers from Tsinghua University and the Missouri University of Science and Technology have explored the impact of lithiophilic sites in lithium alloys on the lithium deposition process through first-principles calculations. Their findings offer new insights for designing dendrite-free lithium metal batteries. Collectively, these research advancements pave the way for the commercialization of lithium metal batteries.