Chemically Tunable Graphene-Based Polymer Nanocomposites as Electrode Materials for Safe, High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。化学学部支持西北大学的欧文C.康普顿成为美国化学竞争力研究员。康普顿博士将研究使用化学修饰的石墨烯基材料作为锂离子电池的电极。具体来说，他将开发石墨烯基聚合物纳米复合材料，并通过化学改性调整其电势、存储容量和可循环性。康普顿博士将与西北大学以及阿贡国家实验室的科学家合作。为了扩大参与范围，康普顿博士将与西北大学的合作伙伴合作，为大芝加哥地区的年轻人开展实践活动，以说明化学科学对能源效率、公共安全和环境的影响。像康普顿博士这样的研究旨在开发更好（更安全、更低成本、更坚固）的锂离子电池的新材料。这类研究的最终目标是开发改进的电能存储和使用技术——这是实现能源独立的任何可行策略的重要组成部分。康普顿博士正在进行的扩大参与的努力旨在增加来自代表性不足群体的年轻人在科学领域的参与。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).The Division of Chemistry supports Owen C. Compton of Northwestern University as an American Competitiveness in Chemistry Fellow. Dr. Compton will investigate the use of chemically-modified, graphene-based materials as electrodes in Lithium ion batteries. Specifically, he will develop graphene-based polymer nanocomposites and tune their electrical potentials, storage capacities, and cyclabilities through chemical modification. Dr. Compton will collaborate with scientists at Northwestern University as well as at Argonne National Laboratory. For his plan for broadening participation, Dr. Compton will work with partners on the Northwestern campus to develop hands-on activities for young people in the greater Chicago area to illustrate the impact that the chemical sciences can have on energy efficiency, public safety and the environment.Research like that of Dr. Compton is aimed at developing new materials for better (safer, lower-cost and more robust) Lithium ion batteries. The ultimate goal of research like this is to develop improved technology for the storage and use electrical energy -- an important piece of any viable strategy for energy independence. The efforts at broadening participation being pursued by Dr. Compton are aimed at increasing the participation of young people from underrepresented groups in the sciences.