LENS Research and Programs

LENS covers four Keystone projects that represent a holistic examination of sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) — designed to rationally solve key barriers on the most impactful trajectories. Each consists of core projects that focus on a comprehensive understanding of underlying limitations and seedling projects that embark on novel trajectory-changing concepts. The Consortium’s framework will enable a stable research base exploring the landscape and limits for NIB energy, cost, life and safety, while simultaneously bringing forth new innovations that go beyond currently explored material sets.

Overview

LENS Consortium projects consist of four Keystones: (i) high energy cathode (ii) high energy anodes (iii) stable electrolytes and additives, and (iv) material, electrode and cell design/integration. LENS will perform characterization and modeling on these topics and integrate new seedling projects that bring trajectory changing ideas to the effort. The overall goals are (i) 2-Ah baseline cell2-Ah cell matching GrLFP energy density (ii) Materials and cells beyond GrLFP energy density (iii) Lower cost materials and cells compared to GrLFP (iv) Minimize/eliminate critical materials. 

Publications

1. Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode with Dominating Copper and Oxygen Redox Chemistry
   Arthur Ronne, Jue Liu, Yiman Zhang, Mengya Li, Seungmin Lee, Jing Wang, Gi-Hyeok Lee, Wanli Yang, Xiao-Qing Yang, Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart, and Enyuan Hu, ACS Energy Lett. 2026, https://​doi​.org/​1​0​.​1​0​2​1​/​a​c​s​e​n​e​r​g​y​l​e​t​t​.​5​c​03483
2. Quantum Monte Carlo Approaches to Na Intercalation on Bilayer Graphene
   Hyeondeok Shin, Anouar Benali, and Christopher S. Johnson
   ACS Physical Chemistry Au 
   DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.5c00025

Keystone 1: High-Energy Cathodes

Cathode Roadmap for Sodium-ion Battery Technology Development

Challenges include low specific capacity, poor cycling stability, low voltage and high nickel content.  The Keystone will focus on two thrusts (i) layered cathodes and (ii) polyanion cathodes with the goal of achieving long lifetimes, high capacity, high voltage with low Ni content.

200 mAh/g, <30% Ni, 3.5 V
Layered materials with low Ni
Polyanion cathodes with no Ni

Keystone 2: High-Energy Anodes

Challenges, Strategies and Goals of High-Energy Anode Development

Challenges include low specific capacity, low initial coulombic efficiency, high volume change, high voltage plateau. The Keystone will focus on two thrusts (i) hard carbon and (ii) alloy anodes. The goals include long lifespans, high capacity, low voltage and high safety.

HC capacity >400 mAh/g
Alloy-composites >1000 mAh/g

Keystone 3: Stable Electrolytes and Additives

Overview of Approaches to Achieving Electrolyte Performance Goals

Challenges include electrolyte decomposition, chemical reactivity, lack of CEI, SEI dissolution, sodium dendrite and plating, and volume expansion/inventory loss. The Keystone will focus on three thrusts (i) solvation structure (ii) new designer electrolyte (iii) interface stabilization. Goals include high voltage stability, volume expansion tolerance of alloy anodes, Fe, Mn dissolution suppression, gas release limitation, and long cycle life.

>4 V vs Na voltage window
Solvation structure manipulation
New designer electrolytes
Interface stabilization

Keystone 4: Material, Electrode and Cell Design, Integration and Testing

Integrating component-level advancements into scaled-up platforms

Challenges include low energy density, poor cycle life, limited thickness, low press and particle density, and high nickel content. The Keystone has three thrusts (i) cell integration and testing (ii) thick, dry, and dense electrodes (iii) low-cost, dense cathode scale-up. Goals include high energy density, longer cycle life, high press and particle density and low Ni content.

160-180 Wh/kg NIB
Cell integration/testing
Thick, dense, dry electrodes
Low-cost material scale up