I lead an Energy Materials and Devices research group at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a major mission to address the CO₂ challenge. Our current research interests include (1) ultrahigh-temperature synthesis of new materials and their use in advanced energy devices, (2) beyond Li-ion batteries for transportation and the grid, and (3) wood nanoscience and nanotechnologies.

In this seminar I will share my group’s research and development of electrified ultrahigh-temperature synthesis as a novel platform for discovering and manufacturing new energy and environmental materials. I will start with the design and fabrication of ultrahigh temperature heaters, followed by two specific research topics, including high entropy nanoparticles (Science 2018, 359, 1489, Cover) and a high-performance battery membrane (Science 2020, 358, 521, Cover). Then I will give an overview of wood nanoscience and nanotechnologies and a few specific examples including solid state ion conductors (Nature 2021) and radiation cooling (Science 2019, 364, 760)