UL Research Institutes

Role of Anode Composition and Electrolyte Interactions on the Thermo-Electrochemical Stability of Sodium-Ion Batteries Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage, owing to their resource abundance and low cost. However, long-term stability is constrained by complex interfacial interactions and microstructural degradation. This study investigates the mechanistic coupling between anode composition, electrolyte chemistry, and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) evolution in full-cell SIBs employing sodium vanadium phosphate (NVP) cathodes. Pure tin (Sn), hard carbon (HC), and Sn–HC composite anodes were systematically evaluated with carbonate ester- and ether-based electrolytes. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses reveal that Sn-rich electrodes undergo significant pulverization and unstable SEI formation, whereas HC maintains structural integrity and forms kinetically stable SEI. On the other hand, the Sn–HC composite mitigates Sn’s mechanical degradation while enhancing capacity retention. Electrochemical analysis highlights the critical role of electrolyte choice in modulating redox reversibility and interfacial integrity. Accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) links interphase behavior to distinct thermal decomposition pathways and self-heating rate. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the electro-chemo-mechanical degradation processes dictating the long-term stability and thermal safety of SIBs.

In a new @pubs.acs.org paper, our researchers deliver mechanistic insights into long-term stability and thermal safety, advancing #SodiumIonBatteries for large-scale #EnergyStorage. 🧪
#Electrochemistry

Elizabeth Smith (pictured middle) receives the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award at the 2026 BEYA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

Two women from UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagements talk to attendees at the Pre-College Career Fair inside the 2026 BEYA Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

Soroush Nazemi (UL Research Institutes Sr. Director of IT Infrastructure and Operations) co-leads a panel discussion on AI in Business at the 2026 BEYA Conference.

Akhira Watson (UL Standards & Engagements) receives her Modern Day Technology Leader Award at the 2026 BEYA Conference.

A wonderful week celebrating several of our #BEYA award recipients! We look forward to another day of invigorating panels and dicussions! 🧪

#BEYASTEM #BEYASTEMDTX #BlackEngineers

Fabulous #AAASmtg plenary introduction from Dr. Michael Crow, Arizona State University President, reminding us that scientific discovery does not automatically translate. The gap between scientific discovery and public understanding expands. Science requires advocates. Storytelling must disrupt. 🧪

🎉 Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science 🔬

On 11 February, we celebrate the important contributions of women to the STEM disciplines.

Find out more about CERN’s #WomenInScience2026, where we feature six scientists: home.cern/news/news/kn...

A well-deserved recognition! 👏

Finalists named for 2026 ChicagoCIO ORBIE® Awards The 2026 ChicagoCIO ORBIE® Awards finalists have been named. Winners will be announced May 8 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, honoring CIO leadership and innovation.

📣 We're thrilled to share Vasu Modekurti, ULRI and UL Standards and Engagements SVP and Chief Information Officer, is a finalist for the 2026 ChicagoCIO ORBIE® Awards in the Nonprofit/Public Sector category. We are delighted to celebrate him and his fellow nominees! 🧪
#SciComm
s.ul.org/4qmd5mj

Finalists named for 2026 ChicagoCIO ORBIE® Awards The 2026 ChicagoCIO ORBIE® Awards finalists have been named. Winners will be announced May 8 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, honoring CIO leadership and innovation.

📣 We're thrilled to share Kristen Delphos (@heykristen.bsky.social), VP of Communications and PR, is a finalist for the 2026 ChicagoCMO ORBIE® Awards in the Corporate category. We look forward to celebrating Delphos, a passionate #SciComm leader in #SafetyScience, in May! 🧪 s.ul.org/4qmd5mj

Computational Toxicology Capabilities to Advance Chemical Safety

Who likes knowledge? Who likes it for free? We have a free webinar on Feb. 18 to share how scientists at our #nonprofit will accelerate chemical screening and work to create high-quality data and publicly available tools. #SafetyScience #Science 🧪
Register >>> s.ul.org/3Zhkto5

Mechanistic Understanding of Thermal Stability and Safety in Lithium Metal Batteries As lithium-ion batteries approach their theoretical capacity limits, lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage, offering substantially high...

🔋Our newly published @acs.org @pubs.acs.org paper provides insights on safer designs and stability of #lithium-metal batteries, and advances science by bridging electrochemistry, materials science, and thermal analysis to inform safer innovations. 🧪
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights Scientist Receives Achievement Award from The Society of Toxicology - UL Research Institutes UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights scientist Katie Paul Friedman, Ph.D. has received the prestigious 2026 Achievement Award from the Society of Toxicology (SOT).

Friedman was recognized for exemplifying scientific excellence and service through her innovative research, vision on addressing regulatory needs with NAMs, and dedication to training the next generation. 🧪
Read more about her work here:
ul.org/press-releas...

Blue graphic with photo of Katie Paul Friedman, and text that reads "2026 Society of Toxicology Achievement Award recipient).

🏆 We're pleased to share Katie Paul Friedman, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2026 @sotoxicology.bsky.social Achievement Award. Katie is the Director of the Center for Chemical Informatics and Screening UL Research Institutes' Chemical Insights and will be recognized at the #ToxExpo in March. 🧪

Upcoming Talk by Dr. Katie Paul Friedman @ulresearchinst.bsky.social "Can NAMs close the chemical data gap?" hostet by @tamaratal.bsky.social
📅 27 Jan 2026 | 10:00 CET
📍 UFZ Kubus, Hall 1A
Insights on using NAMs for rapid risk values, chemical prioritization & mixture modeling in safety assessment.

Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to hearing more about Dr. Friedman's talk! 🔬

Blue graphic that reads "There's still time! Apply for a Discoveries in Safety Grant before 1/27/26."

Take your research to the next level in 2026. 💫 Apply for a #DiscoveriesInSafety Grant by January 27, and full proposals will be requested from select applicants in March.
Get started on your submission here: ul.org/about/grants/

Blue graphic with a photo of a WUI researcher with a laptop and smart phone and text that reads, "Evaluating WUI fire emissions? Apply for the Discoveries in Safety Grant."

Calling all #wildfire #emissions experts! 🔥💨 We’re looking to award grants to researchers studying two unique aspects of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire emissions.
Learn more and apply here: ul.org/about/grants...

🧪 #DiscoveriesInSafety #Grant #Research #WUI

Blue, square graphic with a photo of multiple AAA batteries and text that reads, "Exploring energy-storage device recycling? Apply for the Discoveries in Safety Grant."

Let’s work together on the transition to #sustainableenergy. 🤝 The #DiscoveriesInSafety grant awards PI's researching improved recycling technologies to recover critical minerals from #energystorage devices. Letters of intent are due by Jan. 27!
Apply here: ul.org/about/grants...
🧪 #Batteries #ULRI

Blue, square graphic with a picture of a firefighter in full protective gear with smoke around them, and text that reads "Safeguard first responders against toxic smoke. Apply for the Discoveries in Safety Grant."

📣 #Firesafety researchers, applications are open for the #DiscoveriesInSafety Grants program! This is a great opportunity for #researchers working to improve #respiratory protection options for #firstresponders.

Letters of intent are due by January 27th. Learn more at ul.org/about/grants... 🧪

9 Truths about Wildfires — No Matter Where You Live What is the WUI? Learn 9 vital truths about how human activity and new materials are fueling increasingly destructive wildfires in the built environment.

Did you know wildfire season is getting longer? Don’t let the time of year fool you... Wildfire season now lasts most of the year in several parts of the country, due in part to extreme heat and prolonged dryness. Use these nine quick facts to boost your wildfire knowledge: ul.org/news/9-need-...

Graphic showing a firefighter and text that reads "Focus Area #1: Respiratory Protection for First Responders".

Graphic with batteries and text that reads "Focus Area #2: Recovering Critical Minerals from Energy Storage Devices".

Graphic with person holding a smartphone and laptop standing in the woods, and text that reads "Focus Area #3: WUI Fire Residual Ash and Chemical Emissions".

Graphic with a photo of a house on fire and text that reads "Focus Area #4: WUI Fire Mineral Fiber Emissions".

We are excited to announce the 2026 #DiscoveriesInSafety Grants program! We're seeking applicants whose work aligns with one of the four interest areas listed below and that reflect the work being done across our institutes and support our mission in #SafetyScience. 🧪🔋

🔗 ul.org/about/grants/.

Thank you for sharing, @emwaltz.bsky.social! #SafetyScience

The Alarming Rise of Fake Lithium-Ion Batteries How safe are the batteries in your e-bike or vape pen? Discover the risks of counterfeit lithium-ion cells and what you can do to stay safe.

Fire-prone counterfeit li-ion batteries are infiltrating the market. Here's how to spot one. By @andrewmoseman.bsky.social with special thanks to experts at @ulresearchinst.bsky.social and University of Maryland. spectrum.ieee.org/counterfeit-...

Check out our #SafetyScience Shorts series, now available on YouTube! 🔋🔥🧪

60-Second Safety Science - YouTube What is safety science? How are people who live in the WUI at risk for wildfire hazards? What is thermal runaway? Tune in to UL Research Institutes' new 60-S...

Catch up on the full series on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

What if 60 seconds could make your family safer during wildfire season? Or make you think twice before tossing that #lithium-ion #battery in the trash. At UL Research Institutes, we’re testing that idea – one science short at a time. Bite-sized. Science-backed. Life-saving. 🧪

#SafetyScience

#SafetyScience

🔋What is #thermalrunaway and why do airlines ask you if you have #lithium-ion #batteries in your luggage? Dr. Judy Jeevarajan explains what happens inside a battery and the severity of thermal runaway in our new #ScienceShort episode.

Check out more: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
#SafetyScience 🧪

Thank you for highlighting our amazing battery researcher, Dr. Judy Jeevarajan!
#SafetyScience 🧪

Perspective on Thermal Stability and Safety of Sodium-Ion Batteries Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are gaining traction as an emerging contender for sustainable and cost-effective energy storage, due to the abundance and low cost of sodium resources. Although notable adv...

📰 New @acs.org article from Dr. Judith Jeevarajan, VP and Executive Director of our Electrochemical Safety Research Institute, 'Perspective on Thermal Stability and Safety of Sodium-Ion Batteries.'

#SafetyScience #Batteries 🧪
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Promotional graphic featuring the table of contents image along with the journal and article title.

'Perspective on Thermal Stability and Safety of Sodium-Ion Batteries' from ACS Energy Letters is an open access #ACSEditorsChoice.

📖 Read the article: buff.ly/sL6f7fn

@ulresearchinst.bsky.social

For #FirePreventionMonth, we asked our Archives team to share some historical fire safety artifacts. Learn more about fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and more from our very own Head Archivist, Alan Akers!

📱 www.youtube.com/@ulresearchi...
#ULArchives #Archives #FireSafety #SafetyScience 🧪