Research

Research in the Amanchukwu Lab

Read more about our research interests in our Manifesto. Our research is enabled by a combination of data/computational scientists, chemists, and engineers.

 

DATA SCIENCE FOR ELECTROLYTE DISCOVERY

We use AI and ML tools to generate new ideas for electrolyte compounds for next generation batteries as well as investigate novel solvation behavior for CO2 electrocatalysis. Our unique approach uses experimental properties and we perform experimental verification of our ML-generation ideas. Our ML methods allow us to correlate accessible electrolyte features (e.g., molecular structure) to properties such as conductivity and stability. Most of this work is done in the group and in collaboration.

NEW ELECTROLYTE SYNTHESIS

Our projects involve the synthesis of new small molecules, polymers, and hybrid solid state electrolytes that can be incorporated in next generation batteries (lithium metal, solid state batteries, and dual-ion), and for CO2 electroreduction.

SELECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ELECTROCATALYSIS

By understanding (and controlling) solvation effects in electrocatalytic media, we are at the forefront of designing highly selective and efficient electrochemical reactors for integrated carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and conversion to valuable products such as chemicals.

HIGH ENERGY DENSITY BATTERIES

Our newly designed electrolytes coupled with our understanding of ion transport and electrochemical degradation will enable the fabrication of batteries with high energy density and longer cycle life. Right now, we are focused on lithium metal batteries (with liquid and hybrid solid state electrolytes), high voltage lithium-ion, and dual-ion batteries (for long duration storage).

ELECTRODE:ELECTROLYTE INTERFACE CHARACTERIZATION

Our work strives to correlate bulk electrolyte structure (e.g., solvation) to electrochemical reactions (desired and undesired) that occur at the electrode:electrolyte interface. Among many spectroscopic tools, we utilize microcalorimetry for kinetic and thermodynamic quantification, and NMR (solid and solution state) for chemical specificity.