Explore the critical role of electrical energy storage in sustainable energy technologies through this 30-minute conference talk. Delve into the materials challenges and prospects for rechargeable batteries, focusing on their importance in efficiently utilizing renewable energy sources and electrifying transportation. Learn about the current status of battery technologies and discover new materials, cell chemistry, and configurations being developed to overcome existing limitations. Examine the transition from insertion-compound electrodes to conversion-reaction electrodes with multi-electron transfer, including safer antimony-based anodes, lithium-sulfur cells, and hybrid lithium-air cells with solid electrolytes. Gain insights from Dr. Arumugam Manthiram, an expert in clean energy technologies, as he shares his research on rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and solar cells.