Despite significant advancements in other characteristic requirements of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), safety threats to rechargeable LIBs still persist. The main challenge of the safety concerns related to LIBs is heat accumulation during thermal runaway inside the cells, which is difficult to be eliminated due to poor thermal management associated with current technologies. In this context, SMARTBATT aims to develop a thermoreversible liquid-solid transition (TLST) electrolyte integrated with inherent flame-retardancy for LIBs. The new idea of SMARTBATT is to design and synthesise flame-retardant thermoreversible liquid-solid transition electrolytes via the principals of the chemical Michael addition reaction (to incorporate flame retardant into electrolytes) and chemical Diels-Alder addition reaction (to produce liquid-solid transition in the electrolytes).

SMARTBATT is multidisciplinary and requires complementary expertise from the host (Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Fire Retardant Materials) and the researcher (Electrochemistry, Battery), is contributing to the new generation of LIBs, following the priorities of the Europe 2020 Strategy regarding reaching a Smart, Sustainable and inclusive growth and European BATTERY 2030+, and aligned with some specific priorities of Cluster 5 Framework Programme Horizon Europe.