Physical Sciences and Engineering

Technology Development

The Technology Development group focuses on developing advanced materials and battery systems for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, electric vehicle, and consumer electronics applications.
The Battery Technology Development group is developing new electrolytes, materials, couples, and new concepts in energy storage including lithium selenium (Se), lithium sulfur (S), lithium air (O2), sodium-ion, lithium-ion, full concentration gradient (FCG) cathodes, and all solid-state batteries (ASSB).

The Technology Development group is dedicated to developing advanced cathodes, anodes, electrolytes, and additives for next-generation lithium-ion and beyond-lithium batteries. Next generation systems include lithium-sulfur, lithium-selenium, lithium-air, lithium-superoxide closed systems, solid state-based electrolytes, and sodium-ion. We combine capabilities in advanced materials synthesis, characterization, & electrochemical testing to solve energy storage problems associated with new energy storage materials.​ ​

We maintain strong connections and collaborations with industry, U.S. national labs, and the academic research community to build and maintain a leadership role in  electrochemical energy storage materials. ​

The key focus areas of this group include the following:

Development of Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Full Cells: Our focus is to understand the combinations of cell components that can be assembled to create high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. We are focused on​ ​​​the (1) synthesis of Ni-rich cathodes, (2) the application and role of coatings, and (3) development of cathodes with a cation gradient (FCG) within each particle.. 

Beyond Lithium-Ion Technologies: The aim of this research is toenable high energy density, high efficiency, and high reversibility of beyond-lithium-ion technologies by means of extensive computer modeling and use of advanced characterization techniques.

  • Li-air (Li-O2) systems: Development of electrochemical system additives, catalysts, models, and processes that enable Li-Air energy storage chemistry. New concepts include the Lithium superoxide (LiO2) battery,  a new concept that uses a lithium-oxygen conversion reaction in association with extensive computer modeling and use of advanced characterization techniques to guide this effort.
  • Li-S and Li-Se Battery Systems - Developing of electrode designs and electrolytes to enable shuttle-free operation of these high capacity systems
  • Na-ion battery systems:The Technology Development group are leaders in the new EERE LENS consortium based on advancing sodium-ion energy storage science with a focus on anode materials. 
  • Solid-State Electrolytes: Investigating the role of sintering reactions in solid-state oxide electrolyte systems and the stability of SSE materials with lithium metal.