"Low Cost” Multivalent-ion batteries

Because of the limited Li mineral deposits, the cost of Li battery pack is estimated to continually increase. In this respect, there is an urgent need to explore alternatives, especially a low-cost metal source. Among candidates, multivalent-ion (Mg, Zn etc) batteries have recently attracted great attention as an ideal substrate; the cost of Mg source is approximately 6 times lower compared with that of Li, thanks to the abundance of Mg compounds in the Earth's crust

We focus on the studies of new electrode materials, electrolytes, and anode metals for the efficient and reversible multivalent-ion batteries. We hope that our research activity can contribute to the development of low cost and practical next-generation batteries.

"Highly Safe” Solid electrolyte & All-solid-state batteries

The fast-growing markets for electrical devices have naturally forced current portable batteries to progress to the next-generation battery systems. Among many requirements for next-generation battery systems, the first task would be to ensure a high level of safety, considering that an explosion in a huge battery system could cause a large accident. In this respect, much attention has been focused on all solid state batteries (ASSBs) with the hope of developing highly safe batteries.

Our effort has been devoted to search for new solid electrolyte (SE) materials and their synthesis routes through a liquid-based processing. We believe that the solution-based synthesis method may solve many of the challenges faced in the field of ASSBs

"High Energy” Metal-air batteries

A great deal of interest has recently focused on Li–O₂ batteries as potential high energy density storage systems. It can deliver the highest energy density among any other types of batteries because Li and O directly react in the absence of any heavy transition metals or crystal framework. However, key limitations, such as poor cyclability and low coulombic efficiency, must be resolved for the Li–O₂ battery to be considered for extensive applications.

Our research has focused on designing a broad range of air-electrode that can deliver the high capacity with high power. Also, we are actively developing various efficient solid / soluble catalyst incorporated with the hierarchically porous framework.