Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

Multiphysics Modeling and Analysis for Dendrite Problems in Solid-State Lithium/Sodium Metal Batteries

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02200-0
Bang Yu
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People’s Republic of China
Hang Su
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People’s Republic of China
Zengyu Yan
Yangtze River Delta Physics Research Center Co. Ltd, Liyang 213300, People’s Republic of China
Yun Su
Chemical Defense Institute, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China
Byoungwoo Kang
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, POSTECH, Pohang, Republic of Korea
Xiaohui Rong
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People’s Republic of China
Liquan Chen
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People’s Republic of China
Yong‑Sheng Hu
Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Xiaohui Rong

rong@iphy.ac.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 414

Abstract

The commercialization of liquid lithium-ion batteries has revolutionized the consumer electronics industry. However, conventional lithium-ion batteries with graphite anodes and organic electrolytes are approaching their intrinsic performance limits and struggle to meet the growing demands for higher energy density, reliability, and safety in electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. Solid-state batteries utilizing lithium or sodium metal anodes are considered promising next-generation energy storage solutions. Despite this potential, the formation of dendrites during charge–discharge cycling remains a critical challenge. Dendrite growth can initiate a destructive feedback loop of crack propagation and further dendrite intrusion, ultimately leading to battery failure and performance degradation. Previous studies have predominantly focused on single physical domains, such as electrochemical, stress, or thermal fields. However, such single-physics approach limits the understanding of dendrite evolution under realistic, coupled multiphysics conditions. This review first compares the morphological characteristics of dendrites in liquid and solid-state metal batteries. It then critically examines the key factors and predictive models of dendrite formation, initially from single-physics and subsequently from an integrated multiphysics perspective. Finally, strategies for mitigating dendrite growth via multiphysics field regulation are summarized. By establishing a comprehensive framework that integrates morphology evolution, multiphysics modeling, and suppression strategies, this work provides a foundational theoretical understanding for addressing dendrite formation in solid-state lithium and sodium metal batteries.


Highlights:
1 Experimental observations of metal dendrites are systematically summarized across liquid and solid-state battery systems.
2 Dendrite evolution is elucidated from a multiphysics perspective, highlighting the coupling of electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical fields.
3 Mechanism-guided dendrite-suppression strategies are critically reviewed based on physical field regulation.

Keywords

Solid-state batteries Lithium/sodium metal batteries Dendrites Multiphysics
Yu, Bang, Hang Su, Zengyu Yan, Yun Su, Byoungwoo Kang, Xiaohui Rong, Liquan Chen, and Yong‑Sheng Hu. 2026. “Multiphysics Modeling and Analysis for Dendrite Problems in Solid-State Lithium/Sodium Metal Batteries”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (June):414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02200-0.
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