Electrochemical Energy Storage

We focus our research on both fundamental and applied problems relating to electrochemical energy storage systems and materials. These include: (a) lithium-ion, lithium-air, lithium-sulfur, and sodium-ion rechargeable batteries; (b) electrochemical super-capacitors; and (c) cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials for these systems.

The design and synthesis of new materials are pursued with the aim to increase the energy and power density, to extend cycle and calendar life, to improve the safety characteristics, and to reduce the cost for these devices. Characterization and diagnostic studies are carried out to obtain in-depth fundamental understanding of the mechanisms governing the relationship between structure and the performance, and to provide guidance and approaches to design and synthesize new materials.

Our experimental focus is on developing and applying combined synchrotron-based in situ X-ray techniques (x-ray diffraction, hard and soft x-ray absorption) with other imaging and spectroscopic tools such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), mass spectroscopy (MS), X-Ray fluorescence microscopy (XRF) and transmission x-ray microscopy (TXM).