Zina Deriche, a Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering at Rice University and GEM Fellow with the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute, is working to enhance the performance of solid-state batteries.

Solid-state batteries are considered a safer, more efficient alternative to lithium-ion batteries because they use a solid electrolyte rather than a liquid electrolyte found in LIBs. The solid electrolyte is expected to be less flammable, and at lower risk for thermal runaway, which are commonly found to occur with lithium-ion batteries when they are exposed to off-nominal conditions of electrical, mechanical or thermal in nature.

“By replacing traditional liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries with solid-state lithium-ion batteries, we could theoretically achieve longer-lasting performance and significantly reduce the risk of thermal runaway,” Deriche said, noting that solid-state batteries offer substantial advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries, particularly in terms of thermal stability, nonflammability, and the potential for higher energy density.

Deriche noted the only issue is that solid-state batteries can’t perform as well as lithium-ion batteries, which is where her fellowship research comes in. An experience she says will shape both her academic and professional future.

“I’m going to be able to take the knowledge from this internship into my Ph.D. Not many people in my department have experience in this type of new type of lithium-ion battery. I’m proud to say that I’ve gained this experience and can take it with me and even assist others in my program.”

Deriche also participated in the Student Engagement Program during her fellowship at UL Research Institutes, where she benefited from workshops and professional development support. “I loved learning about how working in research in the industry versus academia is driven by collaboration and innovation,” she said. “It’s great watching the institutes at ULRI work together and help each other.”

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