Research Summary

The work of the awardees has made comprehensive and pioneering contributions to realizing all-solid-state batteries, which is a key technology in next-generation energy storage, through the development of sulfide-based ion-conducting solid materials and the elucidation of their conduction mechanisms.

Prof. Ryoji Kanno developed crystalline sulfide solid electrolytes, including Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂ (LGPS) and argyrodite-type materials, achieving superionic conductivity at room temperature that significantly exceeds that of conventional liquid electrolytes.
Furthermore, he advanced the understanding of lithium-ion diffusion pathways based on studies of crystal structures and defect chemistry, and established guidelines for designing materials exhibiting high ionic conductivity.

Prof. Masahiro Tatsumisago pioneered amorphous and metastable crystalline materials exhibiting fast ion conduction through the development of ion-conducting glasses and glass-ceramics typified by the Li₂S–P₂S₅ system, thereby establishing a materials foundation for the practical application of sulfide-based solid electrolytes.
Together, their complementary approaches—spanning amorphous to crystalline materials—established comprehensive principles for achieving fast ionic conduction and advanced the understanding of electrode/electrolyte interfaces. These achievements have laid the scientific and technological foundation for high-performance all-solid-state batteries.

Impact on the Academic and Industrial Sectors

The combined contributions of Prof. Kanno and Prof. Tatsumisago have transformed the field of solid-state ionics and energy materials science by integrating seemingly opposing approaches incorporating crystalline and amorphous solids into a unified framework for ion conduction. Their work has significantly advanced the fundamental understanding of fast ion transport and stimulated extensive global research activities, as reflected in the high citations of their publications.

From an industrial perspective, their discoveries have triggered the development of sulfide-based all-solid-state battery technologies, which are being actively studied for applications in electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage, and portable electronics. Their work has provided essential materials and design guidelines that have accelerated industrial R&D worldwide.

By enabling safer and higher energy-density battery systems, these achievements are expected to play a crucial role in advancing next-generation energy technologies and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.