University of Waterloo

Purpose

The Project aims to develop next-generation all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) using lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO)-based hybrid solid-state electrolytes (Hybrid-SSEs) to address critical limitations of conventional lithium-ion battery systems. By embedding highconductivity LLZO ceramics within cross-linked polymer matrices, the Project seeks to combine the ionic conductivity of ceramics with the flexibility and processability of polymers to overcome ceramic brittleness, interfacial instability with Li-metal anodes, and incompatibility with high-voltage cathodes. It will drive innovation in Hybrid-SSE development, Ni-rich cathode active material coatings, artificial solid electrolyte interphases engineering for stable lithium anodes, and full-cell fabrication and validation to create safe, scalable batteries with energy densities exceeding 300 Wh/kg and ≥80% capacity retention after 100 cycles. The Project unites the University of Waterloo, the NRC and Electrovaya from Canada with TU Braunschweig, Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films and Glatt, from Germany. It also includes life cycle assessment of the developed technologies.