A review of modeling the aging mechanism of LIBs: Multi-physics field coupling analysis from LLI to LAM

Lithium-ion batteries are a vital technology for grid integration of renewable energy, transport electrification, and distributed energy storage. An accurate aging mechanism model is essential for enhancing energy efficiency, optimizing maintenance, and reliably diagnosing battery health and predicting remaining useful life. In response to increasing demands for high performance and safety, this paper focuses on two dominant degradation pathways: loss of lithium inventory and loss of active material. Key microscale degradation reactions – including SEI growth, lithium plating, particle cracking, and transition metal dissolution – are systematically reviewed. Their synergistic evolution under electro – thermal – mechanical multiphysics coupling is analyzed through experimental findings and modeling insights. Building on this, we review multiscale modeling strategies and their applicability boundaries, including single-particle models, quasi-two-dimensional Doyle-Fuller-Newman models, and electrochemical – thermal–aging coupled frameworks. Trade-offs between accuracy and computational efficiency are discussed in the context of lifetime prediction, thermal safety assessment, and fast health estimation. We thereby structure this review around a coherent review framework that underscores the value of cross-scale integration, from advanced particle models to macro-homogenized simulations. Furthermore, this review provides a critical analysis of the challenges and prospective solutions in developing computationally efficient, physics-informed gray-box models for battery management.