Matter
PerspectiveThree-Dimensional Microbatteries beyond Lithium Ion
Progress and Potential
Current thin-film lithium microbatteries are unable to supply sufficient energy and power for stand-alone microelectronics. In contrast, three-dimensional battery configuration can significantly enhance the energy and power of microbatteries in a given footprint. Recently, battery architectures based on beyond-lithium systems have drawn substantial attention owing to their potentially high energy, high power, and widespread applications. However, their status as on-chip power sources in microelectronics is being questioned as they are plagued by individual shortcomings. In this Perspective, a discussion is provided on the scientific advancement regarding the reaction kinetics control, electrochemical stability improvement, and reaction mechanism understanding in beyond-lithium systems. By identifying the challenges and proposing possible solutions, we hope this Perspective offers a pathway toward massive application of three-dimensional microbatteries in autonomous electronics.