Advancements in specialty batteries: Innovations, challenges, and future directions

Specialty battery technologies are emerging as critical solutions to meet the growing demands of high-performance energy storage across various industries, including electric vehicles (EVs), aerospace, and grid-scale renewable energy integration. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest advancements in specialty batteries, focusing on solid-state batteries (SSBs), molten salt batteries (MSBs), zinc-bromine (Zn-Br) flow batteries, and emerging quantum batteries. The study highlights key material innovations, such as lithium garnet-based solid electrolytes (LLZO) in SSBs, sodium-based molten salt chemistries for long-duration energy storage, and the use of bromine-based redox couples in Zn-Br flow batteries for enhanced efficiency and stability. These developments aim to overcome challenges related to energy density, thermal stability, and cycle life, which are critical for the large-scale deployment of next-generation batteries. Among the most promising advancements, solid-state electrolytes are revolutionizing battery safety and energy density, enabling higher voltage operation and reduced degradation compared to conventional liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, quantum batteries, which leverage principles of quantum entanglement and superposition, are being explored for ultrafast charging and higher energy efficiencies, potentially reshaping the future of energy storage. The review also examines cost reduction strategies, such as alternative electrode materials, scalable manufacturing techniques, and AI-driven battery optimization, to enhance the commercial viability of these technologies. Finally, future research directions emphasize developing multifunctional battery architectures, integrating smart battery management systems, and exploring hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte designs to further improve performance. By presenting a detailed discussion of these innovations and their technological implications, this review provides valuable insights into the future trajectory of specialty battery research, guiding advancements in next-generation energy storage solutions. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.