April 25, 2015, Research Highlights

Dendrite-Free Li Deposition Using Trace-Amounts of Water as an Electrolyte Additive

Residual water (H2O) present in nonaqueous electrolytes has been widely regarded as a detrimental factor for lithium (Li) batteries. However, dendrite-free Li film can be obtained with trace H2O as an electrolyte additive. Read More

April 10, 2015, Research Highlights

Anodes for Rechargeable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Recent developments on the protection of the Li metal anode in Li-S batteries are reviewed Read More

March 30, 2015, Research Highlights

Direct Observation of the Redistribution of Sulfur and Polysufides in Li-S Batteries by In Situ X-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy

The dissolution and redistribution of sulfur and polysulfides were directly observed by XRF imaging. The long-chain polysulfides were generated as soon as discharge was initiated. The dissolved polysulfide diffused to the anode side and deposited onto (and reacted with) lithium metal. Read More

March 18, 2015, Research Highlights

Following the Transient Reactions in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Using an In Situ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Technique

First in situ NMR characterization of the full cell electrochemical reactions in Li-S batteries using a microbattery design Read More

February 23, 2015, Research Highlights

Direct Observation of SEI and Dendrite Dynamics by Operando Electrochemical Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Implemented “battery in a STEM” - an operando electrochemical stage inside an Cs-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) Read More

February 19, 2015, Research Highlights

Molecular‐Confinement of Polysulfide within HybridElectrodes for High Mass Loading in Lithium Sulfur Batteries

N-doped carbon stabilizes the S3 radicals, which are rarely detected in ether-based electrolyte due to their high reactivity; this also restrains the polysulfide loss during battery cycling. Read More

February 9, 2015, Research Highlights

First-Principles Study of Redox End-Members in Li-Sulfur Batteries

Van der Waals-augmented density functional theory (vdW-DF), quasi-particle methods (G0W0), and continuum solvation techniques were used to predict several structural, thermodynamic, spectroscopic, electronic, and surface characteristics of solid-phase redox end-members in Li-S batteries. Read More

January 27, 2015, Research Highlights

A Highly Active Nanostructured Metallic Oxide Cathode for Li-O2 Batteries

Synthesis of a low-cost nanocrystalline metallic metal oxide that shows very good ORR/OER properties in a Li-O2 cell, highlighting the importance of controlling the cathode interface to achieve better round-trip efficiency Read More

January 13, 2015, Research Highlights

Nanoparticle-Driven Assembly of Highly Conducting Hybrid Block Copolymer Electrolytes

The ionic conductivity of nanostructured SEO block copolymer electrolytes is closely related to the morphology Read More

December 16, 2014, Research Highlights

Electrode Interface Dictates Oxygen Evolution from Lithium Peroxide in Li-O2 Batteries

Identification of the critical role the surface properties of metallic TiC & TiN supports play in Li-O2 electrochemistry. Oxygen evolution from bulk Li2O2 is enabled by "clean" surfaces but completely inhibited by 2-3 nm thick TiO2 films. Read More