The world runs on batteries, and almost all of them depend on lithium — a resource that is scarce, geographically concentrated, and increasingly expensive. As solar and wind energy become a larger share of the electrical grid, the need for safe, affordable, and scalable energy storage has never been greater.

The Beyond-Lithium Battery Materials VIP Team investigates the fundamental materials science of energy storage devices built around earth-abundant alternatives to lithium, with a focus on sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg). Using vanadium oxide (V₂O₅) as a model host material, the team explores a unifying scientific and engineering approach called electrochemical phase engineering — a method of tuning a material's crystal structure and properties through controlled electrochemical and thermal treatments — to unlock new possibilities for next-generation batteries.

Thin film fabrication and surface science techniques adapted from the microelectronics industry are combined with traditional electrochemical methods for a research experience that develops skills valued across the semiconductor, energy storage, and clean energy industries. Students engage in the full research pipeline: computational simulations of device behavior; thin film fabrication using atomic layer deposition (ALD), thermal evaporation, and sputtering; surface and structural characterization at UMD's X-ray Crystallography Center, Surface Analysis Center, and Nanocenter FabLab; and electrochemical testing and analysis in the team's dedicated laboratory. A dedicated sustainability subteam examines material sourcing, environmental impact, and life cycle considerations for beyond-lithium storage systems.

This is fundamental materials science with a direct connection to one of the defining challenges of our time: building a clean energy future that doesn't depend on the same scarce resources as today's technology.