# Advancements in solid-state and sodium-metal battery tech > Situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-solid-state-and-sodium-metal-battery-tech > Updated: 2026-10-03T16:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Researchers are developing new materials to improve the stability and performance of next-generation battery technologies, specifically focusing on solid-state and sodium-metal variants. At Rice University, scientists developed a flexible metal-organic framework (MOF) called ZnBTCA. By utilizing flexible aliphatic linkers instead of rigid aromatic ones, the material is more mechanically adaptable and facilitates the movement of lithium ions. In tests using a solid electrolyte membrane, cells operated stably for nearly 300 hours without short-circuiting. In a separate development, researchers at the University of Tokyo addressed dendrite formation in sodium-metal batteries. They created a quasi-solid, freeze-resistant electrolyte designed to physically prevent the growth of needle-like dendrite structures. This prototype demonstrated stability during charge and discharge cycles lasting over 6,000 hours. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-03: Researchers develop new materials for solid-state and sodium-metal batteries Researchers at Rice University and the University of Tokyo are advancing battery technology through flexible MOF materials for solid-state lithium batteries and dendrite-resistant sodium-metal electrolytes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/researchers-develop-new-materials-for-solid-state-and-sodium-metal-batteries ### 2026-09-30: Rice University researchers develop flexible MOF for solid-state batteries Rice University researchers developed ZnBTCA, a flexible metal-organic framework that improves solid-state battery safety and ion transport through enhanced mechanical adaptability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rice-university-researchers-develop-flexible-mof-for-solid-state-batteries --- Cite as: Advancements in solid-state and sodium-metal battery tech. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-solid-state-and-sodium-metal-battery-tech