Speaker: Liangbing Hu, Associate Professor, Materials Science & Engineering, UMCP
Title: Materials Innovations for Emerging Energy Technologies Abstract: Dr. Hu will start by giving an overview of active research activities in his research group located at UMD Energy Research Center, including wood materials toward sustainability, 3000K high temperature materials and processing (Science 2018), and beyond-Li ion batteries (solid state, Na-ion). Then he will focus on recent developments:
(1) Garnet-based solid-state Li-metal batteries including interface engineering to improve the wetting between Li metal anode and garnet solid-state electrolyte (Nature Materials 2016; JACS 2016; Advanced Materials 2017; Science Advances 2017); Garnet based 3D Li ion conductive framework toward high energy density Li-S batteries (EES 2017); Garnet nanofiber based flexible, hybrid electrolyte with a high Li ion conductivity (PNAS 2016).
(2) Assembly and functionalization strategies of wood nanocellulose aimed at specific properties, with an eye toward high impact applications including energy, electronics, building materials and water treatment, including nanomanufacturing and light management in transparent nanopaper for optoelectronics (as a replacement of plastics); mechanical properties of densely packed nanocellulose for lightweight structural materials (replacement of steel, Nature 2018); artificial tree for high-performance water desalination and solar steam generations; mesoporous, three-dimensional carbon derived from wood for advanced batteries (replacement of metal current collectors for beyond Li-ion batteries).