What we do at LEMI

The field of electrochemistry was born with the introduction of interfaces, which are physically separated locations where oxidation and reduction occur.

In the ideal world, only the reactions that we want (either oxidation or reduction of specific species) should occur at each interface.

The reality, however, is far more complex. In many cases, unwanted reactions occur at these interfaces due to electro-chemo-mechanical instabilities. 

Detrimental secondary phases may form due to electrochemical instabilities. Physical separations (crack, fracture, delamination, etc.) may happen due to chemo-mechanical instabilities. Moreover, there could be cross-talk from reactions happening at each interface!

We know that instabilities at the interfaces deteriorate device performances and make it unsafe. 

However, precisely understanding the interfacial processes is difficult because these interfaces are buried deep within the structure. Furthermore, the reactions exhibit spatial heterogeneity and temporal instability. This combination makes it challenging to devise rational strategies for improving stability.

Instead of treating electrochemical instability (secondary phase formation) and chemo-mechanical instability (crack, fracture, delamination, etc.) in isolation, we study their holistic and interdependent electro-chemo-mechanical coupling. We will gain a complete understanding of these coupled behaviors. 

This will be done by developing cutting-edge multi-modal operando characterization platforms capable of simultaneously acquiring a wide set of dynamic thermodynamic variables and localized material properties for analysis.

To unravel complex behaviors of systems, we are committed to developing automatable, fast, and easily applicable high-throughput characterization and analysis methods. 

By significantly shortening the data acquisition and analysis time per data point, we achieve two critical goals: First, we enhance our understanding of the spatial distribution of properties by dramatically increasing data density; and second, we unlock the ability to accurately analyze fast-evolving properties under operando conditions.

Finally, we will develop a closed-loop, autonomous optimization system to actively control behaviors in electrochemical devices. This system will dynamically apply or adjust external actions (e.g., thermal management, mechanical confinement, electric signal) based on real-time feedback from system properties (temperature, pressure, chemical properties, concentration, etc.). 

We will build customized active testing setups integrated with advanced sensors and controllers, complemented by machine learning-driven modeling capabilities to predict and preemptively manage interfacial behaviors.

Our unique multi-modal characterization testbed will provide unprecedented quantitative data on coupled material properties and thermodynamic variables—data that was inaccessible using former approaches. This capability is general and transferable, allowing us to study the intricate interfacial behaviors of a wide range of electrochemical systems. 

By seamlessly integrating this experimental dataset with fundamental scientific principles and models, we will perform rigorous hypothesis-driven research to establish new design rules and deepen the scientific understanding of electro-chemo-mechanical behaviors.

To translate fundamental understanding into practice, we will develop rational strategies to significantly improve device performance and production yields. This will include, but not be limited to, development of digital twins to accelerate testing procedures and device management systems which optimize performance based on material properties.

Our research will move beyond the academic laboratory as we will consider the needs and scale of industry in developing our characterization and analysis techniques. This will ensure broad and rapid technological impact on the world.