CAREER: Nanoscale Imaging of Transport Processes in Mesoscopic Materials for Electrochemical Energy-Storage

得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的Keith Stevenson教授获得了分析和表面化学计划颁发的职业奖，该计划研究独特的纳米结构的电化学，从而实现高效的能量存储和转换。光学和扫描探针显微镜将应用于氧化还原活性材料，首先是锂电池中使用的氧化物，以观察纳米级电子和离子的混合传导。结合电化学方法，该方法将允许将结构特征(例如原子级缺陷、孔隙率和形态)与离子插入的能量学和动力学相关联。这项研究将使新的纳米结构材料的开发成为可能，以提高离子的传输和存储能力。PI计划在创新的本科实验室课程中融入新的现代电化学、光学显微镜和扫描探针显微镜。此外，他还将开发一个互动公共推广模块，与现有的德克萨斯大学-奥斯汀推广计划对接。当地高中生也将参与PI的研究。从研究中获得的信息可能会导致下一代储能材料和配置，并导致潜在的优越的高性能电化学电源的创造。参与这项工作的学生和公众将获得有关纳米材料研究和能量储存方面的尖端想法的观点。

Professor Keith Stevenson of the University of Texas at Austin has received a CAREER Award from the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program to study the electrochemistry of unique nanostructures leading to efficient energy storage and conversion. Optical and scanning probe microscopy will be applied to redox-active materials, starting with the oxides used in lithium batteries, to observe mixed conduction of electrons and ions at nanoscales. Together with electrochemical methods, the approach will permit the correlation of structural characteristics (e.g. atomic-level defects, porosity and morphology) with the energetics and kinetics of ion insertion. The research will enable the development of new nanostructured materials to improve ion transport and storage capability. The PI plans to incorporate new modern electrochemistry, light microscopy and scanning probe microscopy in innovative undergraduate laboratory courses. In addition, he will develop an interactive public outreach module that interfaces with existing UT-Austin outreach programs. Local high school students will also be involved in the PI's research.Information obtained from the research may lead to next-generation energy storage materials and configurations, and lead to creation of potentially superior high-performance electrochemical power sources. The students and public involved in the work will gain perspectives about research in nanomaterials and cutting edge ideas in energy storage.