The focus of research in my group is the synthesis, study, and application of solid-state inorganic materials with technologically significant magnetic, electrical, optical, electrochemical, or catalytic properties. Of particular interest are cheap, scalable, and environmentally friendly synthesizes of carbonaceous materials. Graphite, the primary active material in Li-ion battery anodes, is currently a material of great interest. The synthesis or mining of the graphite is extremely harmful to the environment (see "In Your Phone, In Their Air", by Peter Whoriskey, The Washington Post). What's more, the World Banks estimates that graphite production will have to increase by 500% by 2050 to meet the growing demands for clean energy, multiplying the environment impact if sustainable, environmentally benign graphite production isn't developed. Finally, graphite is recognized by the United States as a "Strategic and Critical Mineral", but has no domestic production, with China producing over 60% of the worlds supply. Our lab discovered, patented and is further developing the only carbon negative, green synthetic route to graphite that equals the performance of commercial Li-ion anode graphite, at a potentially market disrupting low production cost.
Currently, we have three main project areas, all well supported by external funding, the synthesis of graphite from carbonaceous precursors, the synthesis of silicon materials from zintl phases, and the development of Li-O2 battery electrode materials. Follow the links to the top of this page to meet the members of the lab, and to learn about the projects and the laboratory.