Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are the one of fuel cells. It can be operated under the low temperature and various types of fuels. They are a type of fuel cell being developed mainly for stationary and transport applications. It can produce the electricity and water only, which provides the new clean energy under the ambient operating conditions. The main issues for the PEMFCs are the performance and durability of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We are researching the platinum group metals (PGMs) and non-PGM electrocatalysts for the ORR. As well, the configuration and the preparation for MEAs have been investigated to facilitate the commercialization of PEMFCs.

Metal-air batteries are the most high energy density batteries with light-weight systems. Contrary to secondary batteries, oxygen in the air is used as the source of fuel. Metals are oxidized on the anode while producing electrons and metal ions. On the cathode, oxygen meets the metal ions and electrons that migrate from the anode to form metal oxides. Due to its higher charge to mass ratio than that of Li-ion batteries, it can be used in the vehicles or grid storage. However, its poor durability limits the practical use of metal-air batteries. We aims at the development of novel bi-functional catalysts in order to electro-catalyze both the oxygen reduction (battery discharge) and oxygen evolution (battery recharge) reactions for virtually rechargeable metal-air batteries.

The advanced nanomaterials are changing the world and human being's life. We prepare the novel nanomaterials and nanocomposite materials via a variety of different techniques and dimensional modification. Typically chemical vapor deposition, microwave-assisted growth, solvothermal and simple wet-chemistry techniques are applied to precisely control shapes and particle sizes. Nanomaterials with multi-functional structures will affect to not only clean energy production and storage but also self complex self-strengthening and self-cleaning. Our research includes metal alloys, metal oxides, carbons, and composites with efficient dimensional structures like nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanosheets. Fundamental properties of novel nanomaterials are investigated by various physicochemical analysis and evaluation.