As electric cars have evolved, running costs have begun to approach those for their gasoline forebears – more expensive to buy, cheaper to run – but range and charge time remain an outstanding issue. Leading the list of possible game-changers are solid-state lithium ion batteries in which wet electrolyte is replaced with a solid. Simpler, such units have the potential to be a lot cheaper, lighter, and not require liquid cooling. They are expected to also be longer-lasting and fireproof while potentially being much faster-charging too. Research in Li's group focuses on the design of new energy-related materials through advanced characterizations and simulations.