Ultra-High Energy Density and Fast Charging Lithium Rechargeable Batteries for the Electrification of Society: From Lab to Market
Summary
Canada and Quebec are positioning themselves as global leaders in battery innovation and zero-emission strategies, supported by comprehensive plans spanning the full value chain—from mining and processing to cell manufacturing and recycling.
This project advances two next-generation battery technologies to power the clean energy transition:
- Advanced lithium-ion batteries that deliver cost-effective, fast-charging performance using materials sourced within Canada.
- Solid-state lithium-metal batteries targeting ultra-high energy densities (500 Wh/kg, 1200 Wh/L) with over 10,000 charge cycles and 5-minute recharge capabilities.
These innovations support off-grid energy systems, electric vehicles, and zero-emission buildings—helping decarbonize the built environment while reducing dependency on foreign supply chains. In partnership with Quebec’s industrial sector, the project will generate new IP, train highly qualified personnel (HQP), and create jobs, reinforcing Canada’s global leadership in clean tech and battery systems.
Key details
| Principal investigator | Karim Zaghib, Concordia University |
| Co-principal investigators | Xia Li, Concordia University Penghao Xiao, Dalhousie University Michel Trudeau, Concordia University Sixu Deng, Concordia University Thomas Walker, Concordia University |
| Research collaborators | Michel Armand, CIC energiGUNE Nancy Déziel, CNETE Yaser Adu-Lebdeh, NRC |
| Areas of Research | Modelling and Design Technologies, Transportation-related Technologies, Infrastructure/Utility Technologies, Battery and Energy Storage Technologies, Equity and Accessibility to Renewable Energy or Renewable Energy Technologies, Public Policy and Governance of Energy or Energy-related Technologies, Knowledge Mobilization of Decarbonization and Electrification Processes |
| Non-academic partners | Lightening Grid Quebec, Ferrari |
Publications:
A. Nekahi et al., “Toward Green Renewable Energies and Energy Storage for the Sustainable Decarbonization and Electrification of Society,” Electrochem. Energy Rev., vol. 8, no. 1, p. 12, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1007/s41918-025-00247-y.
M. Dorri, A. K. M R, and K. Zaghib, “In operando and in situ characterization tools for advanced rechargeable batteries: Effects of electrode origin and electrolyte,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 658, p. 238188, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.238188.
A. Nekahi, A. K. Madikere Raghunatha Reddy, X. Li, S. Deng, and K. Zaghib, “Rechargeable Batteries for the Electrification of Society: Past, Present, and Future,” Electrochem. Energy Rev., vol. 8, no. 1, p. 1, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1007/s41918-024-00235-8.
M. Dorri et al., “Exploring sustainable lithium iron phosphate cathodes for Li-ion batteries: From mine to precursor and cathode production,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 656, p. 238041, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.238041.
I. Bahaj, A. Kumar M R, M. B. Armand, and K. Zaghib, “In memory of Bruno Scrosati: Metal salts for rechargeable Batteries: Past, present, and future,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 655, p. 237898, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.237898.
G. Vegh et al., “Life cycle assessment of nickel, manganese, cobalt critical minerals: lithium hydroxide monohydrate (mine-to-material) in Québec, Canada,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 657, p. 238149, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.238149.
Y. Dou et al., “Manganese‐Based Spinel Cathodes: A Promising Frontier for Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Batteries,” Advanced Materials, p. e14126, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.1002/adma.202514126.
K. Vishweswariah, N. G. Ningappa, M. D. Bouguern, A. Kumar M R, Michel. B. Armand, and K. Zaghib, “Evaluation and Characterization of SEI Composition in Lithium Metal and Anode‐Free Lithium Batteries,” Advanced Energy Materials, vol. 15, no. 39, p. 2501883, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.1002/aenm.202501883.
J. Goudarzi et al., “Sustainable Recovery of Critical Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Deep Eutectic Solvents,” Batteries, vol. 11, no. 9, p. 340, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.3390/batteries11090340.
Q. Yu et al., “An active bifunctional natural dye for stable all-solid-state organic batteries,” Nat Commun, vol. 16, no. 1, p. 8364, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-62301-z.
N. G. Ningappa, K. Vishweswariah, M. D. Bouguern, A. K. M R, K. Amine, and K. Zaghib, “Mechanistic insights and materials strategies for dendrite-free metal anodes in alkali and zinc batteries,” Nano Energy, vol. 141, p. 111144, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111144.
A. Nekahi, E. Feyzi, M. Srivastava, F. Yeganehdoust, A. K. Madikere Raghunagtha Reddy, and K. Zaghib, “Advanced lithium-ion battery process manufacturing equipment for gigafactories: Past, present, and future perspectives,” iScience, vol. 28, no. 7, p. 112691, July 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112691.
M. Srivastava, A. Kumar M R, S. Ahmed, and K. Zaghib, “Exploring oxide cathodes for Li-ion batteries: From mineral mining to active material production,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 645, p. 236968, July 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.236968.
B. Ramasubramanian et al., “Boosting hybrid capacitive-intercalative Al-ion storage with N-F doped nanocarbon electrodes,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 643, p. 237012, July 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.237012.
E. Feyzi, M. Rezaei, A. Nekahi, A. K. M R, M. B. Armand, and K. Zaghib, “Carbon in lithium-ion battery technology and beyond; Tribute to Kim Kinoshita,” Energy Storage Materials, vol. 79, p. 104348, June 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104348.
M. R. Raj, K. Zaghib, and G. Lee, “Advanced aqueous electrolytes for aluminum-ion batteries: Challenges and opportunities,” Energy Storage Materials, vol. 78, p. 104211, May 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104211.
A. Aghili Mehrizi, F. Yeganehdoust, A. K. Madikere Raghunatha Reddy, and K. Zaghib, “Challenges and Issues Facing Ultrafast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries,” Batteries, vol. 11, no. 6, p. 209, May 2025, doi: 10.3390/batteries11060209.
K. Nikgoftar, A. K. Madikere Raghunatha Reddy, M. V. Reddy, and K. Zaghib, “Carbonaceous Materials as Anodes for Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries,” Batteries, vol. 11, no. 4, p. 123, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.3390/batteries11040123.
Accepted publications in national and international conferences:
Z. Yang, “Unravelling the Impact of Carbon Hosts on Chemistry and Microstructure Evolution in Sulfur Cathodes and Interface Design for High-Performance Solid-Sate Li-S Batteries,” May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ecs.confex.com/ecs/247/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/204197
A. Nizami, “Theoretical Insights into Polymer Interface Coatings for Lithium-Sulfur Battery Cathodes,” May 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ecs.confex.com/ecs/247/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/204410
Powering the Future: The Evolution of Batteries and Electric Vehicles, 4th SPACE Concordia University, February 6, 2025.
Nabilah Al-Ansi: Concordia Horizon PDF Fellowship, Concordia University, September 1, 2025.
Yuxiao Zhang: Leonard F. Ruggins Engineering PhD Scholarship, Concordia University, September 1, 2025.
Xia Li: Global Chemical Engineering Award for Outstanding Female Scientist, Global Chinese Chemical Engineers Symposium (GCCES), August 30, 2025.
Karim Zaghib: Officer of the Order of Canada, Concordia University, June 30, 2025.
Natalia Vargas Perdomo: Concordia PhD Splide Fellowship, Concordia University, May 30, 2025.
Xia Li: Concordia Provost’s Circle of Distinction, Concordia University, April 30, 2025.
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