Professor Chen Renjie and academician Wu Feng from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) have conducted exploratory research on biomimetic concepts, materials and technologies that can be used in secondary batteries. They have recently published a review article titled Learning from nature: Biometricry in secondary batteries in the leading international journal, Materials Today (impact factor: 21.1).

Electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems have received widespread attention due to advantages of renewability, long lifespan, low cost and easy storage. Additional factors of environmental sustainability and intelligent integration of structure and function have become increasingly relevant in recent years. The diversity, innovation, and operability of biomimetic technology not only make material extraction, device assembly and transportation processes green, but also endow battery systems with superior electrochemical performance, safety, adaptability and multifunctionality.

In view of this, the research group led by Chen and Wu focuses on the application of bionics in secondary batteries, comprehensively introducing relevant concepts, core technologies, and research status. By analogy with secondary battery systems and biological elements, the application value and operating mechanism of bionics in secondary batteries are systematically expounded.

From a biological perspective, the research group analyzed the problems existing in the secondary battery system and the measures taken to solve similar problems in biological systems, and proposed an optimization mechanism for the physical and chemical performance and safety of batteries. Meanwhile, based on the Pseudo Two Dimensional Model, the research team also elucidated the intrinsic mechanism of how biomimetic materials affect battery performance, systematically summarized the application methods of biomimetic materials and concepts in secondary batteries, and proposed addressing the application challenges of biomimetic technology throughout the battery life cycle.

Based on the development needs of clean energy equipment and the comprehensive development of battery research disciplines, the research team has proposed the future technological development direction of intelligent, lightweight, low-cost, and green secondary batteries.

The material structure function diversity brought about by biodiversity can provide new inspiration for the development of secondary batteries. Compared with traditional materials, biological elements have unique advantages such as environmental friendliness, renewability, designability, adaptability and compatibility, which are important for the transformation and development of the battery field.