Perspective on Li et al., Science 393, 1314 (2026)

Major Contributions
 

1. Highlighted two new descriptors, an SEI quality descriptor (derived from anion and solvent depletion rates) and relative lithium compensation, which together with Coulombic efficiency account for both lithium loss and electrolyte consumption, enabling precise cycle-life prediction of lithium-metal batteries.

2. Pointed out that tracking SEI dynamics identifies the transition point and the knee point of capacity fading, showing that a high-performance electrolyte must not only form a high-quality SEI initially but also keep it stable over prolonged cycling.

3. Outlined how to extend the framework beyond lithium–iron–phosphate cells by including cathode-dependent processes in NMC and lithium–sulfur batteries, and called for real-time monitoring of electrolyte consumption and SEI evolution.

主要貢獻
 

1. 介紹兩項新的描述參數：由陰離子與溶劑消耗速率推得的 SEI 品質描述參數，以及相對鋰補償量。兩者結合庫倫效率後，可同時計入鋰損失與電解液消耗，精準預測鋰金屬電池的循環壽命。

2. 指出追蹤 SEI 動態變化可找出容量衰退的轉折點與膝點，說明高性能電解液不只要在初期形成高品質 SEI，還必須在長期循環中維持其穩定。

3. 提出將此架構延伸到磷酸鋰鐵以外電池系統的方向：須納入 NMC 正極與鋰硫電池中與正極化學相關的反應，並建議以即時監測技術追蹤電解液消耗與 SEI 演變。