Nanostructured materials for high-performance lithium batteries

Mon, 02 Dec 2013 19:00:00 -0500

Discovery: The development of sustainable materials for high-efficiency batteries is a technological and economic imperative.. Since their commercial introduction by Sony in 1991, lithium ion batteries have become the gold standard in rechargeable consumer electronics applications, primarily because of their high energy-to weight ratio. Nevertheless, recent high-profile failures have highlighted the shortcomings of current technology. Learning: This Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program is providing the next generation of scientists and engineers with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve the biggest problem challenging mankind: ensuring a sustainable future. This advance involved an IGERT Fellow in a team-based, interdisciplinary project. A recent National Academies report concluded that in-depth research experience is the crucial component in graduate education. A team-based approach provided the necessary broad skillset while also providing the Fellow with an introduction to sustainable R&D.