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Understanding and adopting appropriate electrochemistry terminology is crucial for fostering productive collaboration among members of the battery research community, particularly those from diverse scientific backgrounds. In modern society, a shared scientific language helps save resources, money, and lives. This is why students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are first taught basic terminology, enabling them to communicate effectively with other scientists. For example, students in chemistry learn to differentiate between the element symbol Co (cobalt) and the molecular formula CO (carbon monoxide), highlighting the importance of accurate notation.

However, electrochemistry does not always follow this standard. Often seen as a niche branch of chemistry, electrochemistry combines chemistry and electricity in innovative ways. Despite its broad applications, basic knowledge of its terminology and notation remains less widespread. Unlike other fields of chemistry, electrochemistry is treated as a multidisciplinary branch where researchers from different areas work on specific topics in isolation. As a result, there is limited shared knowledge and inconsistent use of terminology. This lack of uniformity is further exacerbated by the fact that electrochemistry is not widely taught at the academic level, even though it has had a transformative impact on chemistry as a whole.

One key area where the lack of standardized terminology is particularly evident is in electrochemical energy storage, especially in battery research. A common example of this issue is the use of the terms "anode" and "cathode" to describe negative and positive electrodes, respectively. In rechargeable batteries, the positive electrode is the cathode during discharge and the anode during charge, while the negative electrode follows the opposite pattern. To avoid confusion, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommends using the terms "positive electrode" and "negative electrode." Despite this guidance, researchers often use "anode" and "cathode" for both charging and discharging processes, contributing to further confusion.

Another example is the interchangeable use of the terms "potential" and "voltage." While many researchers use these terms synonymously, IUPAC defines distinct terms such as "electrode potential" and "applied potential" to clarify how electric potential is measured. The term "voltage" is discouraged in academic contexts due to its generality. In battery research, the correct use of such terminology is essential for clear communication and the accurate representation of scientific findings.

A further issue arises when research articles report the energy content of a single electrode. This practice violates a fundamental rule of electrochemistry, which dictates that at least two electrodes are required for a redox reaction in an electrochemical system. Yet, it is not uncommon to encounter this misrepresentation in academic literature and conference discussions. This discrepancy underscores the need for a shared language to avoid miscommunication and ensure that research findings are universally understood.

As interdisciplinary research continues to grow, many scientists from fields like chemistry, physics, engineering, biology, crystallography, and data science are applying electrochemistry to tackle challenges related to decarbonization. Electrochemical systems are diverse and complex, and without a common language, researchers risk describing similar phenomena in different ways. This divergence could hinder the progress of collaborative efforts to advance knowledge in the field.

To address this issue, Nature Nanotechnology has expressed its support for the consistent use of scientific terminology as recommended by IUPAC, the globally recognized authority on chemical terminology, nomenclature, notation, and definitions. The editorial team plans to pay closer attention to proper terminology during the editing process before publication. By doing so, they aim to foster the adoption of a shared language for electrochemistry, thereby supporting research and development within the interdisciplinary research community.