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Introduction
Introduction
Matt is a postdoctoral scholar of materials science working with Professor Ram Seshadri at the Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Dr Wright earned his PhD in 2024 studying new materials for post-Li battery technology, supervised by Professor Matthew J. Rosseinsky (FRS) and Professor Laurence Hardwick at the Materials Innovation Factory & Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy in collaboration with Johnson-Matthey. Before his PhD, Dr Wright gained his Masters degree in chemistry with Dr John Bleddyn Claridge and Dr Todd Wesley Surta, and his BSc with Professor Andy I. Cooper (FRS) at the University of Liverpool, UK. Dr Wright has also spent time on Erasmus in Boston College, Massachusetts, USA.
Research
Research
My research focuses is on identifying the underlying chemistry and physics of advanced functional materials for energy storage, including Li, Na and Mg-ion technologies. Utilizing structurally and compositionally controlled anionic redox has allowed us to enhance the notoriously sluggish kinetics of Mg-ion electrodes as well as the thermodynamics of layered Li-ion electrodes, respectively. Currently, I am also investigating how electrochemically (de)inserted ions can be employed to develop interesting quantum materials, to provide a critical link between magnetic and correlated oxides.
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4d5Rx_4AAAAJ&hl=en
Motivation
Motivation
Rechargeable batteries will play a key role in moving towards a more sustainable future. Li-ion technology currently dominates this market, which is expected to grow from US$30 billion in 2017 to US$100 billion by 2025.[1,2] Nonetheless, Li-ion batteries are approaching their theoretical energy densities, limited by the insertion chemistry of positive electrode materials. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the multifarious social, ethical and environmental issues surrounding the supply chain of Li (and concomitant Co).[3-5] Innovation in technology beyond Li is required to continue to meet growing demand; whilst ensuring that future of energy storage is sustainable, ethical and efficient.
The study of functional inorganic materials sits at the interface of physics, chemistry and materials science. Understanding the physical phenomena that relate a materials structure to its properties allows for the design and discovery of next-generation materials. Development of the next generation of advanced function materials is necessary in order to meet the growing global energy demand.
[1] Raw materials for a truly green future, Nat. Rev. Mater., 2021, vol. 6.
[2] Lithium-Ion Batteries Need to be Greener and More Ethical, Nature, 2021, vol. 595.
[3] G. Harper, et. al. Nature, 2019, 575, 75–86.
[4] D. Larcher and J.-M. Tarascon, Nat. Chem., 2015, 7, 19–29.
[5] T. M. Gür, Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 2696–2767.
Seshadri Group (external): https://mrlweb.mrl.ucsb.edu/~seshadri/
MRL (external): https://www.mrl.ucsb.edu/
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