The transition to an energy-efficient future depends on the development of advanced energy storage technologies capable of supporting electric transportation, renewable energy integration, and resilient power infrastructure. Researchers at the Institute for Energy Efficiency are advancing next-generation energy storage systems that improve performance, safety, scalability, and manufacturing efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of energy production and consumption. This research area focuses on the development of advanced batteries and electrochemical technologies for electric vehicles, grid-scale storage, and emerging energy applications. Faculty researchers are pioneering solid-state battery materials and architectures designed to achieve higher energy density, improved safety, longer cycle life, and lower cost compared to conventional lithium-ion technologies. Efforts span the study of ceramic ion conductors, lithium and sodium metal systems, novel electrode materials, and long-duration energy storage technologies.
Researchers are also investigating the fundamental mechanical, electrochemical, and materials phenomena that govern battery manufacturing, operation, and degradation. By integrating expertise in materials science, electrochemistry, solid-state mechanics, and advanced characterization, the initiative aims to accelerate the translation of laboratory breakthroughs into scalable, commercially viable energy storage solutions. Complementing these efforts, faculty are developing intelligent optimization and control methods for smart grids and electrified transportation systems, enabling more efficient integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources. Research in catalysis and energy-related chemical processes further supports the development of energy-efficient industrial technologies and cleaner energy conversion pathways. Researchers’ diligence at IEE is helping to enable safer and more efficient energy storage technologies that support widespread electrification, as we transition to a low-carbon energy future.
Lead Faculty
Mahnoosh Alizadeh: Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. Alizadeh’s research is focused on designing new modeling, learning and control frameworks and market mechanisms for enabling sustainability and resiliency in societal infrastructure systems (with a specific focus on power systems and electric transportation systems). She is the director of the Smart Infrastructure Systems laboratory.
Phillip Christopher: Associate Professor Chemical Engineering, Mellichamp Cluster Chair, Sustainable Manufacturing
Catalytic processes are relied upon globally for trillions of dollars per year of industry. The conversion of oil to gasoline, transformation of natural gas and nitrogen into fertilizer, and conversion of un-burnt fuels into less harmful gasses in the tail pipes of cars all rely on solid state catalysts. Increasing demands for efficient, environmentally friendly chemical processes, in concert with the push to utilize emerging natural resources, rely on the development novel catalytic materials and processes. We use principles from chemical engineering, materials science, physical chemistry and solid-state physics to engineer catalytic reactions towards these goals. We develop molecular level insights into governing phenomena of catalytic reactions by coupling quantum chemical calculations with an array of experimental and characterization techniques. Mechanistic insights are utilized to guide the synthesis of catalysts with targeted geometries, compositions and architectures.
Jeff Sakamoto: Mehrabian Professor, Materials & Mechanical Engineering
As a materials scientist and engineer with an interest in synthesis, processing, and functionalization of ceramics and hydrogels, his research is highly interdisciplinary guided by the fields of energy storage/conversion and biomedicine.
With a focus on materials and manufacturing processes to develop new energy storage and biomedical technologies, the Sakamoto group takes a holistic approach to research entailing materials design and discovery, articulation into prototypes, and testing in relevant environments. While the connection between these seemingly disparate fields may not be obvious, they do share one aspect; nothing, or, more specifically, the absence of mass