News
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ESRA researcher Di-Jia Liu recognized as American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow
Liu’s research is centered on developing new electrocatalysts, which are materials that speed up chemical reactions that involve electricity. The goal is to make these reactions more energy-efficient and less expensive. One of his key innovations is using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are made by… Read More
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ESRA director Shirley Meng wins 2025 Battery Innovator Award
At the 42nd International Battery Seminar and Exhibit (IBSE), it was announced that this year’s winner of the Shep Wolsky Battery Innovator Award for 2025 is Shirley Meng. Dr. Meng pioneered the use of cryogenic microscopy for battery materials and their interfaces. Her work has… Read More
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ESRA researcher Maiofang Chi named Materials Research Society Fellow
MRS lauded Chi for “contributions toward the advancement of novel electron microscopy methods for the study of energy materials.” Chi is an ORNL Corporate Fellow at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, a DOE Office of Science user facility. She is also a Fellow of… Read More
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Science Magazine: Move over lithium: Sodium batteries could one day power a green economy
A world that runs on renewable energy would need 200 times more battery capacity than exists today—and that probably means a different kind of battery.
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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Mini flow battery speeds energy storage research
With a goal to speed the time to discovery of new grid energy storage technology, researchers designed a compact, high-efficiency flow battery test system that requires an order of magnitude less starting material while delivering results equal to the standard lab-scale test systems.
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UChicago: Better texture for better batteries
To create the new batteries needed for EVs, mobile devices and renewable energy storage, researchers have explored new materials, new designs, new configurations and new chemistry. But one aspect – the texture of the metals used – has been historically overlooked.
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Chicago Tribune: Batteries are a missing piece in Illinois’ clean energy transition. Engineers and lawmakers are racing to add them to the power grid.
Dr. Shirley Meng and her team of material engineers are racing to create affordable and efficient batteries that can store solar and wind energy.
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Cell Press: Energy storage expert Y. Shirley Meng envisions a renewable and harmonious future
Shirley Meng, the director of ESRA, was selected as one of the Cell Press 50 Scientists that Inspire for her leadership in shaping how battery research is conducted and her commitment to advocating for science.
