With the lithium-ion technology approaching its intrinsic limit with graphite-based anodes, Li metal is recently receiving renewed interest from the battery community as potential high capacity anode for next-generation rechargeable batteries. In this focus paper, we review the main advances in this field since the first attempts in the mid-1970s. Strategies for enabling reversible cycling and avoiding dendrite growth are thoroughly discussed, including specific applications in all-solid-state (inorganic and polymeric), Lithium–Sulfur (Li–S) and Lithium-O₂ (air) batteries. A particular attention is paid to recent developments of these battery technologies and their current state with respect to the 2030 targets of the EU Integrated Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) Action 7.

随着锂离子技术越来越接近石墨基负极的固有极限，锂金属作为一种潜在的下一代可充电电池高容量负极正受到电池界的新关注。在本重点论文中，我们回顾了自1970年代中期的首次尝试以来该领域的主要进展。彻底讨论了实现可逆循环和避免枝晶生长的策略，包括在全固态（无机和聚合物），锂硫（LiS）和锂O ₂（空气）电池中的特定应用。特别要注意这些电池技术的最新发展及其与欧盟综合战略能源技术计划（SET-Plan）行动7的2030年目标有关的现状。