March 26, 2026

A new approach to control lithium deposition in anode-free solid-state batteries

Discover how CSEM’s MgC bilayer interphase stabilizes the interface, improves reversibility, and paves the way toward industrial performance.

Hand holding battery icon with lightning symbol representing renewable energy and power storage at sunset
Lithium chemical element symbol Li with metal samples used in battery energy storage technologies

Why does this advance matter? 

Teams worldwide are racing to make anode-free solid-state batteries viable. Their strategies include improving surface lithiophilicity to enhance lithium wetting, managing stack pressure, introducing alloy interlayers, and implementing seeded nucleation approaches.  

CSEM’s difference lies in a multifunctional interface design that does not just encourage lithium deposition, but controls where it takes place. That control is critical: it can determine whether the Limetal/solid electrolyte interface remains stable or starts to deteriorate 

Drawing on decades of thin-film deposition expertise from industries such as photovoltaics and watchmaking, CSEM brings proven precision and manufacturing know-how to one of battery engineering’s most decisive challenges.

What comes next for industry? 

This work remains at an advanced R&D stage, but it already sends a clear industrial message: the interface can be engineered through seeds, wetting, pressure, and multilayer architecture, and this is where anode‑free reversibility is won or lost. 

For an “industry‑grade” evaluation of MgC the next steps are clear: 

Take the next step now

Contact CSEM’s battery experts to move your breakthrough battery from potential to industrial performance