Abstract: Electrochemistry involves chemical reactions that are driven by the movement of electrons and ions, typically occurring at surfaces or interfaces. A key example is rechargeable batteries, where ions migrate through the liquid electrolyte and electrons flow through the external circuit. The electrochemical reactions take place at the electrode–electrolyte interface where electrode materials receive both ions (Li+, Na+, etc) and electrons during discharging, and release them during charging, enabling the reversible storage of electricity. Thus, my research lab aims to deepen the understanding of surface and interface science to stabilize the electrode-electrolyte interface during electrochemical processes. In this talk, I will share our research focus, methodologies, and key findings, with a particular emphasis on how we design battery materials to suppress undesirable reactions and enhance performance through interface engineering. I will highlight two next-generation battery technologies: solid-state batteries and sodium-ion batteries. Solid-state systems hold great promise but face significant challenges, such as lithium dendrite propagation that can cause short circuits and cell failure. I will present our recent efforts to mitigate dendrite growth through stress-engineering and by understanding the role of grain boundaries in electrochemical performance. The talk will also cover the development of sodium-ion batteries, which offer a cost-effective and abundant alternative to lithium-ion systems.
Finally, I will emphasize the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing energy storage research, and I hope this presentation sparks conversation and future collaboration across departments.
Bio: Chunmei Ban is an Associate Professor at the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering and affiliated with Materials Science and Engineering Program at University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO. Prior to 2019, Ban was a Senior Scientist (V) in the Chemistry and Nanoscience Center at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO, has led DOE-awarded projects in intermetallic anodes, high-energy cathodes, and direct recycling process for battery materials. Ban received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the Department of Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University, China and holds a PhD in Chemistry from the State University of New York at Binghamton, supervised by Prof. M Stanley Whittingham, a 2019 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. Her current research efforts revolve around enhancing the fundamental understanding of chemical and physical properties during the electrochemical process, with the aim of developing next-generation electrochemical materials for energy storage applications.