Our research activities contribute mainly to three trajectories, which are ultimately correlated via both simple and advanced mathematics. Through analytical methodology by combining basic theory, experimental data and device performance, we seek to answer a number of fundamental questions associated with energy materials and devices. We add to the research efforts of the general energy field for realizing well-understood & designable fuel cell/battery materials and devices with high energy density, pronounced durability, acceptable environment friendliness and scalable cost effectiveness.
(i): We develop analytic methodology to study and manipulate the growth of energy materials. Relying on mathematical derivation, theoretical computing and experimental synthesis, we aim to reveal quantitatively the fundamental kinetic and thermodynamic details of energy materials growth. By investigating the interparticle interactions in crystal growth, we reveal the growth mechanism of energy materials with our derived kinetic and thermodynamic models.
(ii): Then, we provide a quantitative basis for understanding the correlation between electronic properties (electrical, optical, magnetic, etc) and the important crystal parameters including size, shape and strain. A few carefully selected/designed materials/structure systems are our focus in this direction. In addition to those seemingly-logical assumptions, we aspire to interpret our experimental data via the aforementioned precise analytical models developed by both us and others.
(iii): Last, we design actual energy devices to allow for the accurate evaluation of mass transfer associated with energy materials and devices, including the direct measurement of gas diffusion/convection coefficient and ionic conductivity in fuel cells and Li batteries. For instance, we have proposed and realized a number of sensor-based devices for lost-cost and accurate measurement of diffusivity and conductivity in energy materials.
Our specific research topics are as follows:
---Device design and realization for direct and accurate mass transfer measurements in fuel cells and Li batteries;
---Single-step film and device assembly of fuel cell and battery materials;
---Fine tuning and control over strain-dependent ionic and electronic properties of fuel cell and battery materials;
---Accurate quantification of growth kinetics and thermodynamics of colloidal nanocrystals.
(i): We develop analytic methodology to study and manipulate the growth of energy materials. Relying on mathematical derivation, theoretical computing and experimental synthesis, we aim to reveal quantitatively the fundamental kinetic and thermodynamic details of energy materials growth. By investigating the interparticle interactions in crystal growth, we reveal the growth mechanism of energy materials with our derived kinetic and thermodynamic models.
(ii): Then, we provide a quantitative basis for understanding the correlation between electronic properties (electrical, optical, magnetic, etc) and the important crystal parameters including size, shape and strain. A few carefully selected/designed materials/structure systems are our focus in this direction. In addition to those seemingly-logical assumptions, we aspire to interpret our experimental data via the aforementioned precise analytical models developed by both us and others.
(iii): Last, we design actual energy devices to allow for the accurate evaluation of mass transfer associated with energy materials and devices, including the direct measurement of gas diffusion/convection coefficient and ionic conductivity in fuel cells and Li batteries. For instance, we have proposed and realized a number of sensor-based devices for lost-cost and accurate measurement of diffusivity and conductivity in energy materials.
Our specific research topics are as follows:
---Device design and realization for direct and accurate mass transfer measurements in fuel cells and Li batteries;
---Single-step film and device assembly of fuel cell and battery materials;
---Fine tuning and control over strain-dependent ionic and electronic properties of fuel cell and battery materials;
---Accurate quantification of growth kinetics and thermodynamics of colloidal nanocrystals.
To ensure the quality of our research, our lab has been equipped with a number of state-of-the-art facilities allowing for materials synthesis, assembly & characterization. These facilities include:
---Scanning Electron Microscope
---In-situ Confocal Raman Microscope
---X-ray Diffractometer
---High-speed Supercomputer Cluster
---UV-vis Spectrophotofluorometer
---Fooking Foward Infrared Spectroscope
---Thermogravimeter & Differential Scanning Calorimeter
---Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
---MBraun Unilab Workstation
---Schlenk Line system
---Battery Test System
---Fuel Cell Test System
---Electrochemical Workstation
---Automatic Electrophoretic Deposition System
---High-temperature Furnaces
---DLS- Malvern Zetasizer
---Quartz Crystal Microbalances
---High-speed Centrifuge Systems
---Thermo Gravimetric analyzer
---Mechanical Testing & Simulation System
---YFSP-G III Automated Electrospinning System
---Scanning Electron Microscope
---In-situ Confocal Raman Microscope
---X-ray Diffractometer
---High-speed Supercomputer Cluster
---UV-vis Spectrophotofluorometer
---Fooking Foward Infrared Spectroscope
---Thermogravimeter & Differential Scanning Calorimeter
---Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
---MBraun Unilab Workstation
---Schlenk Line system
---Battery Test System
---Fuel Cell Test System
---Electrochemical Workstation
---Automatic Electrophoretic Deposition System
---High-temperature Furnaces
---DLS- Malvern Zetasizer
---Quartz Crystal Microbalances
---High-speed Centrifuge Systems
---Thermo Gravimetric analyzer
---Mechanical Testing & Simulation System
---YFSP-G III Automated Electrospinning System