Safe, Sustabinable, and Scalable Next-generation Energy Storage Systems

Our research focuses on aqueous batteries, sodium batteries, battery recycling, and scalable materials processing, while also expanding into related areas of next-generation energy storage. We aim to bridge materials synthesis, interfacial engineering, electrode fabrication, and practical cell evaluation.

Rather than focusing solely on the intrinsic electrochemical performance of active materials, we design battery materials that can be processed into practical electrodes and evaluated under realistic cell conditions.

By combining low-cost materials, stable interfaces, and scalable manufacturing strategies, our goal is to develop battery platforms that are both scientifically meaningful and industrially relevant.

1. Aqueous Batteries
   Aqueous batteries are promising energy storage systems as they use water-based electrolytes that offer intrinsic safety, cost-efficiency, and environmental compatibility. Yet, their practical application is limited by water decomposition, parasitic side reactions, unstable metal-electrolyte interface, and narrow electrochemical stability window of water. 

Our research focuses on stabilizing electrode–electrolyte interfaces in aqueous systems and developing safe battery chemistries suitable for large-scale energy storage applications.

Research Topics

• Water-based electrolytes for safe energy storage

• Interfacial engineering of metal anodes

• High energy density cathode materials

• Suppression of water decomposition and side reactions

• Stable plating/stripping behavior in aqueous media

• Integrated design of aqueous full cells

2. Sodium Batteries

Sodium batteries are attractive alternatives to lithium-ion batteries because sodium is abundant, low-cost, and widely distributed. Our lab studies sodium-based electrode materials that can enable safe, low-cost, and resource-abundant energy storage systems.

Our research includes electrode materials synthesis/engineering, non-flammable electrolyte design and full-cell designs. 

Research Topics

• Low-cost cathode materials

• Environmentally benign anode materials

• Surface and interface stabilization

• Practical sodium-ion full-cell evaluation

3. Recycling

Battery recycling is essential for building a sustainable battery ecosystem. Beyond simple recovery of valuable elements, our research focuses on regenerating spent electrode materials into high-value battery powders that can be reused in practical electrodes.

In particular, we study the reconstruction of degraded cathode materials, recovery of particle morphology, improvement of powder properties, and validation of regenerated materials under realistic electrode and cell conditions.

Research Topics

• Regeneration of spent cathode materials

• Morphology reconstruction of recycled powders

• Sustainable battery materials

• High-value reuse of battery waste

• Practical electrode and full-cell validation

4. Processing

Scalable processing is a key step toward practical battery materials. Our lab works on powder processing strategies that connect laboratory-scale material design with electrode-ready battery powders.

We use scalable approaches such as spray drying, ball milling, thermal treatment, and surface modification to control particle morphology, composition distribution, carbon networks, and interfacial properties. Through this approach, we aim to produce battery materials that are not only electrochemically active but also compatible with practical electrode manufacturing.

Research Topics

• Spray-dried battery powders

• Scalable materials synthesis

• Electrode-ready powder production

• Particle morphology and surface control

• Practical electrode engineering