Weiran Zhang

Transition-Metal-Free, High-Energy Silicon || Li-Halide Salt Battery Chemistry Beyond Intercalation.

Current batteries chemistry based on transition-metal cathodes and graphite anodes face sustainability challenges and an energy-density ceiling. We propose a micro-silicon anode paired with a Li-halide salt (LiI, LiBr, LiCl - LiF) cathode to move beyond intercalation chemistry, substantially reducing critical-materials while delivering a energy-density increase for next-generation sustainable energy storage technology.

My vision is to move battery technology beyond intercalation chemistry and establish a critical-materials-free (transition metal, graphite) platform as a new foundation for scalable energy storage system. Rather than only reducing critical materials, this chemistry also delivers a step-change in energy density for battery technology. I aim to bridge fundamental interface science with manufacturable cell design to enable real-world deployment, reducing critical-material dependence while also powering next-gen applications from grid storage to heavy transport, robotics and low-altitude aviation.