In coming decades, society must undergo an unprecedented transition from fossil energy to one based increasingly on renewable electricity coupled to chemical transformations. To achieve this vision, my research is developing advanced electrochemical technologies that underlie clean power and mobility. First, I will describe our efforts to increase the energy density of today’s rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles by enabling the lithium (Li) metal anode, a long-sought ‘Holy Grail’ that has faced significant hurdles since the early days of Li-based technology. These issues arise from the instability of the fragile solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which causes Li to suffer from poor reversibility, curtailed cycle life and serious safety issues. Following decades of research, the SEI remains poorly understood, hindering attempts to improve it. To address this need, my group is creating novel methodologies to study the Li SEI and have recently elucidated new design principles regarding its chemistry, material properties and function that are collectively informing powerful strategies to develop better interfaces through electrolyte and additive design. At the cell level, the high energy density of Li anodes is further realized when combined with high-energy cathodes. Next, I will describe our efforts pioneering a new class of cathode conversion chemistry that harnesses reactivity of ultra-high-energy fluorinated molecules that can reach exceptionally high numbers of electron transfers (exceeding 8 e^-/molecule). These efforts have identified compelling motifs for making safer, high-energy primary batteries in the near term, and underpin ongoing efforts to bring these emergent chemistries into the realm of rechargeability in the longer term. Finally, no portfolio of environmental technologies is complete without efforts to directly manage CO₂ emissions from point-source emitters that will forge a necessary bridge between where we are today and a cleanly electrified future. I will highlight how we are adapting and integrating scientific and engineering principles from the CO₂ capture, battery and catalysis fields to propose new solutions in the increasingly urgent area of CO₂ capture coupled to permanent storage, where electrochemistry has strong potential to play a central role.

Zoom Webinar: https://mit.zoom.us/j/96431622855