This thrust focuses on designing advanced composite materials for solid-state lithium metal batteries. Key objectives include synthesizing and characterizing redox-active bis(naphthoquinones), modeling lithium intercalation mechanisms, and studying interfacial reactions between bis(naphthoquinone)-based cathodes and solid polymer electrolytes. Additionally, researchers are preparing solid polymer electrolyte ionogels with a partially fluorinated polymer matrix to improve ion transport, electrochemical stability, and battery cyclability.