From materials to management: the expanding role of design of experiments in advanced battery technologies

The transition toward sustainable and high-performance batteries requires not only advances in materials and architectures, but also the adoption of systematic approaches to experimental design. This review highlights the role of design of experiments (DoE) as a versatile and powerful methodology to accelerate innovation in the battery field. By replacing trial-and-error strategies with statistically sound frameworks, DoE enables the exploration of multiple variables and their interactions, offering deeper insights into complex phenomena that govern synthesis, performance, safety, recycling, and lifetime of batteries. Applications reviewed span from the optimization of electrode formulations and cathode synthesis to advanced thermal management strategies and recycling processes of end-of-life batteries. Across these domains, DoE has proven to reduce experimental redundancy, enhance reproducibility, and guide the identification of optimal operating conditions. The review also illustrates how DoE can act as a bridge between laboratory-scale research and industrial scalability, providing tools that are essential for the development of next-generation energy storage technologies. By presenting a comprehensive overview of its impact, this article aims to inspire researchers to embrace DoE as a cornerstone for systematic innovation, fostering both scientific progress and sustainable deployment of electrochemical energy storage.