What are the Major Contributions of Solid State Ionics to Technology in the Past and Future ?

Abstract

In NATO ADVANCED RESEARCH WORKSHOP “FAST ION TRANSPORT IN SOLIDS -BELGIRATE II”, five working groups of scientists in the field of Solid State Ionics were given some foundamental topics in the field to study. The working group “Technology” had five members, Dr. J.S. Lunsgaard from Denmark as the group leader, Dr. C. Arbizzani and Dr. M. Giua from Italy, Dr. T. Kawada from Japan and Dr. J. Lane from U.K. The question is : What are the major contributions of Solid State Ionics to technology in the past and future ? The working group started with the general discussion on the materials of major interest in Solid State Ionics: solid electroytes. Then the applications of some solid electrolyte materials such as zirconia and other solid oxides, Beta-alumina, and polymer electrolytes were extensively discussed as the examples of the answer to the question. In addition, intercalation compounds have also been discussed in details concerning their important role in solid state batteries and electrochromic devices. The present paper gives the major points of the discussion.