Emerging Multivalent Electrochromic Batteries: Dual-Function Energy Storage with Visual Intelligence

Integrating multiple compatible functionalities into one device is a great step toward more efficient and sustainable technology. One such approach, a multivalent electrochromic battery, integrates the electrochromic color modulation with the multivalent batteries to realize color-indicative batteries that also power an in-built electrochromic display. Despite huge advancements at the laboratory scale, notable gaps exist that hinder seamless integration of electrochromism and energy storage, therefore preventing multivalent electrochromic batteries from being a technological/industrial reality. Various strategies, including lattice engineering, cavity resonance, water-in-salt electrolyte, hybrid electrolyte, and quasi-solid-state gel electrolyte, have proven effective for the growth of multivalent electrochromic batteries. Various approaches have been discussed here, with a focus on electrode and electrolyte engineering toward multivalent electrochromic batteries. Additionally, several challenges associated with the technology have been underlined, along with suggested plans to address the bottlenecks. Modern tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) may offer accelerated approaches to realizing the multivalent electrochromic batteries for a sustainable future.