Designing Multi-Functional Electrodes for Next-Generation Energy Storage Devices

Prof. Seung Woo Lee
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech

Abstract: Although lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors have shown rapid progress over the last two decades, next-generation energy storage applications, such as fast-evolving portable electronics, electrified propulsion, and load-leveling for renewable energy systems, require multi-functional energy sources that have both high-energy and -power, long cycle life, and flexibility, exceeding the performance of conventional energy storage devices. Aiming towards such advanced energy storage technologies, Dr. Lee’s research pays particular attention to harnessing charge storage reactions of nanostructured electrodes and their nano-fabrication processes. In this presentation, we will discuss our recent progress on designing multi-functional electrode materials.

We will first show that redox-active organic electrodes prepared from earth-abundant organic materials can be promising cathodes for large-scale energy storage devices. We reveal that these organic electrodes have promising charge storage properties for both Li- and Na-ion storage. The assembled organic electrodes are employed as cathodes for hybrid capacitors and Li- and Na-ion batteries, delivering high capacity with superior power capability and cycling stability. Thus, these high-performance organic electrodes can be promising cathodes for large-scale rechargeable batteries or hybrid capacitors. Next, we will introduce a new self-assembly technique, called a ligand-mediated layer-by-layer assembly, which can convert the insulating paper or fabric to highly porous metallic current collectors. Using this technique, we demonstrate the multi-functional energy storage devices for flexible and wearable energy storage devices.

Bio: Seung Woo Lee received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Seoul National University with Summa cum laude in 2004 and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2010. He joined the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in January 2013. Dr. Lee is an expert of electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems, which are the key enabling technologies to support fast-evolving consumer electronics and electric vehicles. He has published 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals with very high citations, showing the broad impact of this research on the research community of electrochemical systems. In particular, he has developed high-performance nanostructured organic electrodes using the surface redox reactions for advanced lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. Dr. Lee has received several awards, including Samsung Global Research Outreach Award (2014), Hanwha Advanced Materials Non-Tenure Faculty Award (2016), and Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) Young Investigator Grant Award (2016).