US Scientists Develop Innovative Polymer for Faster, Safer Solid-State EV Batteries

The new superionic polymer electrolyte could help overcome key challenges in solid-state battery technology.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:38pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones of green, blue, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex molecular structure and efficient ion transport channels of the new superionic polymer electrolyte material.A conceptual illustration of the innovative polymer electrolyte's molecular structure and ion transport pathways, which could unlock faster, safer solid-state batteries for electric vehicles.Oak Ridge Today

Researchers at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a novel superionic polymer electrolyte that significantly improves ion transport, a major hurdle for solid-state batteries. The flexible, easy-to-process polymer material can enable faster charging and safer operation compared to traditional liquid electrolytes, potentially unlocking faster adoption of solid-state battery technology in electric vehicles.

Why it matters

Solid-state batteries are seen as a critical next step for electric vehicles, offering increased energy density, faster charging, and improved safety over current lithium-ion battery technology. However, the slow movement of ions within solid electrolytes has been a persistent challenge. This new polymer electrolyte breakthrough could help solid-state batteries overcome that barrier and accelerate their commercialization.

The details

The ORNL team engineered the polymer by carefully controlling its chemical composition, adding precise amounts of zwitterions - molecules with both positive and negative charges - to create ion-conducting pathways. This allows ions to move up to 10 billion times faster through the material compared to their surroundings, significantly boosting conductivity. The researchers plan to further study the mechanisms behind this superionic behavior using advanced computing and materials analysis techniques.

  • The study was published in the journal Materials Today in April 2026.

The players

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

A US Department of Energy research laboratory located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, focused on advancing scientific discovery and technological innovation.

Catalin Gainaru

An R&D scientist at ORNL who worked on the polymer electrolyte project.

Tomonori Saito

A distinguished researcher at ORNL who contributed to the study.

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What they’re saying

“Achieving fast ion transport has always been a major challenge of polymer electrolytes, but our recent research demonstrates that this may no longer be the case.”

— Catalin Gainaru, R&D Scientist, ORNL

“The ORNL polymer electrolyte contains polar segments that favor the inclusion of lithium salts and strongly enhance the mobility of ions.”

— Tomonori Saito, Distinguished Researcher, ORNL

What’s next

The ORNL team plans to further study the mechanisms behind the polymer's superionic behavior using advanced computing, AI-driven autonomous chemistry, and neutron scattering techniques.

The takeaway

This innovative polymer electrolyte breakthrough could help unlock the full potential of solid-state battery technology, enabling faster charging, improved safety, and accelerated adoption in electric vehicles and other energy storage applications.