Research Interests
Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, have huge potential to minimize our dependence on fossil fuels and to reduce greenhouse gas emission. However, solar and wind energy is uncertain and intermittent. Storing grid electricity in batteries or catalytically converting electrical energy to renewable fuels and chemicals can overcome the mismatch between renewable energy sources and demand. The development of these technologies requires efficient electrochemical systems that can operate at appropriate temperatures with minimal energy losses. Our research goal is to understand and control materials properties for electrochemical energy applications as well as to contribute to the fundamental progress of materials electrochemistry and solid-state chemistry. Our research team at Virginia Tech has focused on tailoring the electrochemical processes in batteries, electrocatalysis, and smart windows. Our central scientific question is how the local chemical and structural heterogeneities (e.g., doping chemistry, grain boundaries, dislocations, electrochemical interface) govern the redox reactions in redox-active solids at relevant length scales. We design and synthesize redox-active energy materials, characterize materials electrochemistry using synchrotron and electron analytical techniques, and measure electrochemical performance in various systems. We also apply theoretical calculations and multiscale modeling through collaborations to enhance our fundamental understanding. Recently, we have begun to develop machine learning approaches to identify critical material properties that dictate electrochemical performance.