Boise State University is leading a significant, multi-institutional effort to revolutionize battery technology, thanks to a substantial $2.4 million federal grant. This funding will enable a coast-to-coast collaboration focused on understanding and improving the fundamental atomic-level interactions within rechargeable batteries, aiming to overcome long-standing challenges in energy storage.
Key Takeaways
- A $2.4 million Department of Energy grant will fund research into advanced battery interfaces.
- Boise State University is leading the project in partnership with Brown University, Dartmouth College, and four national laboratories.
- The research aims to enhance energy density, longevity, and safety of next-generation rechargeable batteries.
- The project will foster student research opportunities and build national capacity in energy materials.
Advancing Battery Science at the Atomic Level
Despite decades of progress, current rechargeable batteries still grapple with issues like limited energy density, degradation, and short lifespans. This new initiative, funded by a Department of Energy Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Implementation grant, will delve into the microscopic electric interactions that dictate battery performance. The team will focus on the electrical double layer (EDL), a critical nanometer-scale region where electrodes meet electrolytes, which significantly impacts charge transfer and battery stability.
A Collaborative, Multi-Institutional Approach
Boise State University will spearhead this ambitious project, working alongside Ivy League institutions Brown University and Dartmouth College, as well as Argonne, Idaho, Oak Ridge, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories. Professor Hui (Claire) Xiong of Boise State’s Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering is the lead principal investigator. Her team will integrate experimental and computational approaches, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to develop a unified model for the EDL. Brown University will contribute expertise in molecular dynamics and density functional theory modeling, while Dartmouth College will focus on materials synthesis and testing.
Empowering Students and Future Innovation
A core objective of the EPSCoR program is to build research capacity and train the next generation of scientists. This project will provide undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in advanced characterization techniques and direct collaboration with researchers at national laboratories. The initiative also aims to make research findings widely accessible through open-access digital resources, including data sets and computational models, positioning Boise State as a hub for AI-driven battery science and accelerating discovery for both academia and industry. The expected outcomes include significant improvements in battery science, particularly for electric vehicle applications, and a strengthened research ecosystem in Idaho and beyond.
Sources
- Federal award fuels the future of battery technology, Boise State University.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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