Enabling Innovation with Fundamental Materials Science

We focus on solving fundamental problems broadly related to various technologies. This approach bridges the gap between application-oriented research and basic science. By pursuing general knowledge and understandings, we aspire to equip scientists and engineers with the insight needed to accelerate innovation.

Mixed Ion and Electron Transport

Materials that simultaneously transport both ions and electrons are especially of interest because: 1. they are capable of readily changing stoichiometry via chemical diffusion; 2. they facilitate facilitate electrochemical reactions. These so-called mixed ion-electron conductors are thus highly relevant for electrochemical energy storage such as in Li-ion batteries.

Multi-Ion Transport

More than one ionic species might be mobile in materials. One example is in liquid electrolytes, where the intended mobile ion is always coupled with a counter ion. In electrolytes used for batteries, multi-ion transport is typically not a desired feature from the perspective of making an effective or efficient battery. Understanding the detailed physics and chemistry of multi-ion transport is thus another fundamental area that has strong practical implications.

Electronic and Thermal Transport

Electronic transport, thermal transport, and their coupling (thermoelectrics) phenomena are also of fundamental interest for the group. The coupling phenomena, observed in various forms such as the Seebeck effect or the Peltier effect, helps one understand the electronic transport mechanism in conductors. In applications, thermoelectrics takes advantage of the coupling phenomena to convert between thermal and electrical energy (e.g. generators, coolers).