Purdue’s ViPER Group innovates high-energy-density, long life-cycle rechargeable lithium metal batteries

The Purdue Bell Tower.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —

Research conducted by Purdue University’s Vilas Pol Energy Research (ViPER) Group shows promise for developing high-energy-density rechargeable lithium-metal batteries and addressing the electrochemical oxidation instability of ether-based electrolytes.

The research was published in the Feb. 10 issue of Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed, open access, scientific journal published by Nature Portfolio. Zheng Li, a graduate research assistant in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, was the lead author.

The focus of the ViPER Group is the design and fabrication of high-capacity materials for next generation safer lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, solid-state and ultralow temperature battery systems.

More information can be read on the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering website.

Media contact: Kayla Wiles, wiles5@purdue.edu 

Research News

Snowy campus shot of unfinished Block P

Purdue faculty named in Clarivate’s prestigious 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list across several fields

January 16, 2026

Research uses radar to expose sky’s organized, living habitat

January 15, 2026

Chemical engineering senior Anika Bhoopalam working in a Purdue lab.

Highly ranked: Purdue’s long-standing strengths in co-op and internship opportunities position it among nation’s best

January 15, 2026

Andrea Donnellan standing in front of golden stained glass with sunlight streaming through

Rocks and rolls: The computational infrastructure of earthquakes and physics of planetary science

January 14, 2026