APPLICATION

We employ analytical and physical chemistry strategies to make renewable energy applications better

Merging at multi-length scale battery dynamics and chemistry

The future of renewable energy hinges on effective energy storage. Electrochemically induced redox materials especially lithium-ion batteries, based on reversible insertion chemistry, promise the efficient energy transformation between chemical and electrical energy. However, despite the importance of this technology, many fundamental aspects of insertion chemistry remain poorly understood. Motivated by understanding insertion chemistry at multi-level length scale facilitate the energy storage technology, our group is working on bridging the gap between the fundamentals of chemistry and energy storage. Our approach integrates the redox reaction at the levels of electrons, ions, single particles, and devices.  

Science, 353, 6299 (2016)

Low-temperature Water Electrolysis

This study is centered on understanding and developing highly-active electrocatalysts for efficient generation of hydrogen energy, with an emphasis on applying advanced synchrotron-based techniques to in-situ/operando characterize electrocatalysts. We are investigating the time-/spatial-dependent properties of electrocatalysts.

We aim to elucidate thetructural/compositional/morphological changes during electrocatalysis, contributing to the clarification of the catalytic mechanism and the development of superior electrocatalysts.

THERMOELECTRICS

Solid-state thermoelectric device converts the waste heat to electricity and nanoscale materials can show extremely high efficiency. Our group is dedicated to discovering the design rule of next-generation thermoelectric materials.

 Microelectronic devices contain inorganic semiconductors, metal interconnects, and interfaces. Especially, at the interface between one material and other generates a great deal of heat causing degradations of a lifetime or even breakdown. Our group is dedicated to improving heat transfer in metal, organic, inorganic layers, and interfaces.

Nano Letters, 16, 4133 (2016)   ACS Nano, 10, 124 (2015)  Nano Letters, 15, 3273 (2015)  Nano Letters, 14, 5471 (2014)

MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS

Electrochemically active bacteria which converts chemical bonds to electricity (or converts electricity to chemical bonds) hold promise for the next generation fuel cell. We study charge transfer mechanism between bacteria and electrode.