NEXT-GENERATION BATTERIES

Every battery contains molecules that shape how it performs — and molecules can be redesigned.

Every battery contains molecules that shape how it performs — and molecules can be redesigned.

Higher energy density, longer life, less dependence on scarce metals — the targets for next-generation batteries are set by the materials inside the cell.

Higher energy density, longer life, less dependence on scarce metals — the targets for next-generation batteries are set by the materials inside the cell.

I redesign that chemistry at three points in the cell.

I redesign that chemistry at three points in the cell.

01 ELECTRODE

I turn redox-active organic molecules — including the biological cofactor NAD⁺ — into reversible electrode materials, an alternative to the scarce transition-metal oxides most cathodes rely on.

02 REACTION

Dissolved redox mediators shuttle charge inside the electrolyte and drive the electrode reaction itself — making the oxygen reaction in lithium-air cells reversible enough to cycle.

03 ELECTROLYTE

For lithium-metal anodes, molecular symmetry can control how each Li⁺ ion is solvated — setting how the interphase forms and how stably the cell cycles.

Across all three, I hold every design to the same test. I track it with operando diagnostics — DEMS, EIS, synchrotron X-ray techniques — to confirm the mechanism, not just the result.

RELATED PUBLICATIONS

Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2019, 58, 16764 (Link)

ACS Energy Letters 2021, 6, 1659 (Link)

Bio-inspired electrode designs for secondary batteries

Organic molecule as a reversible redox-active electrode material.

Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2022, 10, 20464–20472 (Link)

Multi-functional redox mediators for ambient-air operational Li-air batteries

Redox mediator controlling the [FILL] reaction in the electrolyte.

Nature Energy 2025, 10, 502–512 (Link)
Advanced Energy Materials 2022, 2103955 (Link)

Molecular design for stable cycling of Li-metal batteries

Symmetric molecular design for Li⁺ solvation control in lithium-metal cells

Next research project