Distinguished Professor, Chemistry and Materials Science & Engineering, Binghamton University
The research of Whittingham's materials chemistry group includes the preparation and chemical and physical properties of novel inorganic oxide materials. Much of our effort is targeted at finding new materials for advancing energy storage. Recently we have discerned the critical role that single-phase reactions play in the discharge of battery electrodes. Our goal is to significantly improve the storage ability of electrochemical devices so as to make renewable solar and wind energy viable, also to enable electric vehicle range and cost. Our research involves much materials characterization at the major National Laboratories.
Talk Title:
Energy Storage for Energy Harvesting Applications
Talk Abstract:
Effective energy storage is a critical component of any energy harvesting system. This presentation will focus on electrochemical approaches, with an emphasis on secondary lithium batteries. Lithium batteries have been around for more than 40 years, initially as a scientific curiosity but have now grown to be a critical mainstay of portable electronics and transportation and an enabler of renewable energy. This is due to their high energy density and a more than ten-fold drop in cost in the last decade. The present status and future trends will be described.