Chilling with batteries: how freezing-cold microscopes unlock the hidden secrets of future batteries

Bo Liu PhD Student / UCLA Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

From lemon batteries to atom-by-atom views, this talk shows how cryogenic electron microscopy (“cryo-EM”) lets us freeze battery materials to reveal the hidden reactions that power our phones, cars, and the grid. You’ll see why an ultra-thin interfacial layer (the solid-electrolyte interphase) controls performance and lifespan, and how UCLA researchers capture it in its native state. Expect striking microscope images, clear explanations, and a peek at next-generation methods that can even trap batteries mid-reaction.

Recommended grade levels for this talk: 9th-12th