Center for Energy Materials Research 

We investigate the interaction between hydrogen (H2) and solid. H2 storage materials include room temperature (RT) hydrides and Mg-based hydrides with scope ranging from in-depth materials science to demonstration of a storage tank system. For separation of H2 out of mixed gas, we develop metallic membranes mainly composed of BCC metals. To ensure the structural integrity of metallic components of the actual systems under H2 environment at RT and high temperature (HT), we work on hydrogen embrittlement. All the work on hydrogen-metal interaction employs state-of-the-art characterization of property-structure relationship before and after hydrogenation and modeling based on computational materials science.

We focus on the high-temperature oxidation which can be defined as the reaction with the oxidant and the alloys in the isothermal condition. If the material suffers the severe oxidation when exposed to the high operation temperature, degradation of the various properties (ex. creep) is inevitable. Therefore, improving the oxidation resistance has gained huge attention in the structural metallic field. For this purpose, we develop the microstructural or the compositional design of the alloys to control the oxidation behavior.

Our society attempts to utilize Li-ion batteries (LIBs) for greener transportation such as electric vehicles (EVs), whereas the performance, cost, and environmental benignity of LIBs require to be further improved.

Using operando and ex-situ characterization combined with DFT calculations, we study the energy storage thermodynamics and kinetics of LIBs, improve electrode materials (including both inorganic and organic compounds) and electrolytes (including oxidation-resistive liquid electrolytes and solid-electrolytes), and develop multivalent (Zn2+, Mg2+) aqueous battery chemistry for more sustainable energy storage technology. We particularly focus on the interfacial charge transfer reaction and side reaction to understand the electrochemistry. 

We have a specialty of employing electron microscopy (EBSD, EPMA, TKD, HR-TEM), synchrotron light source (XRD, EXAFS, soft XAS), and computational materials science (CALPHAD, MD, DFT) to understand materials behavior in multiple lengthscale level: microstructure, atomic arrangements in crystalline structure, electronic structure, and chemical states.

Based on the thorough characterization, we design and build better energy materials.