• About Us

    Our research laboratory is dedicated to advancing safe energy storage, sustainable materials, and next-generation manufacturing technologies to address critical societal needs while fostering a harmonious relationship between nature and technology. Our mission is to develop high-performance energy storage, environmentally responsible materials, and scalable processes that promote long-term sustainability. In close collaboration with national laboratories, we perform operando and in situ studies of all-solid-state batteries leveraging forefront photon, neutron, and electron characterization techniques at leading synchrotron and neutron facilities. Our interdisciplinary approach enables us to address complex challenges across multiple length scales, from nanoscopic and microscopic to macroscopic and system-level investigations. By integrating expertise across materials science, electrochemistry, advanced characterization, and manufacturing, we strive to deliver innovative solutions and contribute to a more sustainable, technologically advanced future.

    News and Events

  • Check More Research Highlights →
  • Clarivate released its 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list, which recognizes influential researchers whose work has made significant and broad impact in their fields. This year's list includes 6,868 researchers from over 1,200 institutions across 60 countries and regions, representing roughly 1 in 1,000 of the global research community. Researchers earn this distinction by authoring multiple papers ranking in the top 1% of citations for their field over an 11-year period. Prof. Zhu is identified as one of the Highly Cited Researchers for 2025. Check More
  • Dr. Zhu is featured in ACS Energy Letters as part of the "Women Scientists at the Forefront of Energy Research" series, recognizing our lab's sustained and systematic contributions to sulfide-based all-solid-state battery research, including work on electrolyte synthesis and modification, interface stabilization, operando characterization, mechano-electrochemical coupling, and reliability-relevant mechanisms, within the broader context of advances across the field. Read more
  • Our group's new work, Operando neutron imaging of lithium flux and gradient cathode design for enhanced kinetics in high-loading all-solid-state Li-S batteries, has been published in Advanced Materials, demonstrating operando visualization of lithium distribution and a gradient-engineered sulfur cathode that improve kinetics and sulfur utilization.
  • With support from the Core Programs in NSF Electrochemical Systems and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, our lab together with collaborators at Oak Ridge National Laboratory studied all-solid-state batteries through operando neutron imaging. This technique enables real-time visualization of lithium transport and interfacial dynamics within working cells. Our recent study using operando neutron imaging to map lithium distribution was highlighted in Nature Energy.
  • Our study entitled "Understanding Electrochemical Reaction Mechanisms of Sulfur in All Solid State Batteries through Operando and Theoretical Studies" has ranked within the top 10% of most-read papers published by the journal Angewandte Chemie.
  • Our work on "Nondestructively Visualizing and Understanding the Mechano Electro chemical Origins of Soft Short and Creeping in All Solid State Batteries" has ranked within the top 10% of most-read papers published by the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
  • Congratulations to Luyao on publishing "Chiral Sensing of Amino Acids under Visible Light via Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Gels" in Advanced Optical Materials! This work demonstrates an innovative approach to sustainable chiral sensing using bio-based materials. We're proud of Luyao's contribution to advancing green chemistry and chiral detection methods.
  • Congratulations on the issuance of our U.S. Patent (No. 11,926,965), titled "Natural Fiber Composites as a Low-cost Plastic Alternative".
  • Congratulations to Tim's work "Unveiling the Mechanical and Electrochemical Evolution of Nano Silicon Composite Anodes in Sulfide based All-solid-state Batteries". It has been accepted in Advanced Energy Materials.
  • We are delighted to announce that Ying's review regarding Sustainable Bioplastics Derived from Renewable Natural Resources for Food Package has been accepted in Matter.
  • Dr. Zhu is selected in Stanford University's List of the Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide. Check More
  • Congratulations on Avi's acceptance to the Georgia Institute of Technology. Happy for you, Avi!
  • Our US Patent "Fire-retardant Nanocellulose Aerogel, and Methods of Preparation and Uses Thereof" is issued (U.S. Patent No. 10,919,262).
  • Our work 3D Printed High-Performance Lithium Metal Microbatteries Enabled by Nanocellulose is highlighted in Women in Materials Science Issue published on Advanced Materials. Check more: Advanced Materials: Women in Materials Science .
  • Our work entitled Biodegradable, Hygienic, and Compostable Tableware from Hybrid Sugarcane and Bamboo Fibers as Plastic Alternative is featured in multimedia. The goal of this work is to tackle the plastic pollution problem. Check more: Science Daily, The Economist, The Eurekalert AAAS.
  • Dr. Zhu is featured on ACS Energy Letters: Women Scientists at the Forefront of Energy Research.
  • Our US Patent "Lignin-based electrolytes and flow battery cells and systems" was awarded (U.S. Patent No. 10,818,952.). We are looking to Nature for green storage! Power with Nature!
  • Our research article on biodegradable, hygienic, and compostable tableware from hybrid sugarcane and bamboo fibers as plastic alternative was accepted in Cell Press journal Matter. Congrats to Chao!
  • Congratulations on Tim (Daxian) and Yuyue's work entitled 'Processing Strategies to Improve Cell Level Energy Density of Metal Sulfide Electrolyte Based All-solid-state Li Metal Batteries and Beyond' is accepted in ACS Energy Letters. Good job, Tim and Yuyue.
  • Congratulations to Alolika on securing a Research Scientist position at the Nissan Research Center for the research on batteries. We are very proud of her accomplishments and excited to see her take this next step in her career.
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