VIRTUAL: Department Seminar with Jeff Sakamoto: Stabilizing Solid Li and Na Metal Anodes Using Ceramic Membrane Technology

When

November 2, 2020    
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Event Type

This is a webinar event.

Speaker: Jeff Sakamoto, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan

Title: Stabilizing Solid Li and Na Metal Anodes Using Ceramic Membrane Technology

Abstract: There is tremendous interest in making the next super battery, but state-of-the-art Li-ion technology works well and has inertia in several commercial markets.  Supplanting Li-ion will be difficult. Recent material breakthroughs in Li metal solid-state electrolytes could enable a new class of non-combustible solid-state batteries (SSB) delivering twice the energy density (1,200 Wh/L) compared to Li-ion. However, technological and manufacturing challenges remain.  The discussion will consist of recent milestones and attempts to bridge knowledge gaps to include:

  • Stability and kinetics of the alkali metal-solid electrolyte interface
  • Solid-state battery manufacturing challenges

Despite the challenges, SSB technology is rapidly progressing.  Multi-disciplinary research in the fields of materials science, solid-state electrochemistry, and solid-state mechanics will play an important role in determining if SSB will make the lab-to-market transition.

Bio: Professor Jeff Sakamoto has > 20 years of experience studying and translating ceramic materials for electrochemical materials into energy technologies for terrestrial and space applications.  He was a senior researcher at the Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2000-2007), a Professor at Michigan State University (2007-2014), and has been a Professor at the University of Michigan since 2014.  The Sakamoto group synthesizes ceramic electrolytes, tests their electrochemical and mechanical properties, and develops manufacturing processes for solid state batteries.  Dr. Sakamoto is a Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow, and was a chair, organizer, speaker, and delegate at the National Academy of Sciences Frontiers of Science and the National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposia. Dr. Sakamoto received two Major Space Act Awards from the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board, is the primary contributor on 34 patents and received the Teacher-Scholar (2013), and Withrow Excellence in Teaching (2009) Awards at Michigan State University.

Seminar Host: Steve Martin

Zoom Link: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/92980973425

Loading...