Volume 2, Issue 2 (2026) – 4 articles
Cover Picture: All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are widely regarded as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage owing to their high energy density and intrinsic safety advantages. However, growing evidence indicates that ASSBs are not inherently safe. The thermal instability of key materials and interfaces can still trigger severe thermal hazards under abusive conditions. In this review, we systematically examine the thermal stability of critical components in ASSBs and elucidate the underlying safety challenges and thermal runaway mechanisms from the materials level to the full-cell and system levels. Current strategies for improving thermal stability and safety, including materials design, interface engineering, and cell-level protection, are summarized. In addition, emerging approaches based on advanced thermal characterization techniques and data-driven modeling are highlighted. This review provides a unified framework for understanding the thermal failure behavior of ASSBs and offers practical guidance for the rational design of future energy storage technologies.
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Back Cover Picture: With the diversification of energy storage technologies and the pressing demands for high-performance batteries, separators have transcended their conventional role as inert barriers to emerge as critical enablers of performance, safety, and longevity. To address the unique operational challenges across emerging battery chemistries - including lithium-ion, lithium-metal, and multivalent-ion systems - innovative separator design has become a key research focus. This review begins by outlining the fundamental properties and essential functions of separators to provide guiding principles for functional engineering. It then critically surveys recent advances in separator development tailored for diverse battery systems, systematically analyzing their critical roles, performance improvements, and persistent challenges. Emphasis is placed not only on modification strategies and implementation techniques, but also on the underlying working mechanisms and design rationales behind emerging functional separators. The realized functions are classified and discussed in detail, offering insights into how separators can be engineered to meet specific electrochemical and interfacial requirements. Finally, forward-looking perspectives on future research directions are provided, aiming to bridge fundamental understanding with practical application. By synthesizing current knowledge and highlighting future opportunities, this review seeks to foster the rational design of high-performance separators and accelerate their deployment in next-generation energy storage systems.
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