Overview
Our research group is interested in understanding and controlling electrochemical energy conversion processes across multiple scales, ranging from single molecules and reactive entities to complete devices and systems. We are particularly interested in closing the gap between fundamental mechanistic studies and practical electrochemical technologies, where complexity increases by orders of magnitude. By combining investigations at the single-molecule, ensemble, and device levels, we seek to establish a unified understanding of how the chemical, electronic, and physical properties of individual entities influence collective behavior and overall system performance. This multiscale perspective guides our efforts to reveal the principles governing key electrochemical reaction steps and to solve critical challenges in practical energy-conversion applications.
Sustainable Redox Flow Battery
We study aqueous redox flow batteries as a promising platform for scalable and sustainable energy storage with focus on both organic and hybrid organic–inorganic redox chemistries to expand the performance and chemical diversity of aqueous flow battery systems. Organic molecules offer high tunability in redox properties, solubility, and stability, while selected inorganic species provide advantages in abundance and cost. By combining molecular design, mechanistic studies, and device engineering, we aim to develop new aqueous flow battery chemistries and establish fundamental design principles for practical long-duration energy storage.
Single-Molecule Electrochemistry
We develop single-molecule methods to probe electrochemical reactions in complex energy conversion systems, with particular emphasis on resolving spatial and temporal heterogeneities at practical electrode surfaces. Real electrodes contain diverse particles, domains, defects, and interfacial structures, leading to local electrochemical behaviors that are often obscured in bulk-averaged measurements. By integrating advanced optical imaging, single-molecule techniques, and operando electrochemical analysis, we seek to visualize charge-transfer processes at microscopic and molecular levels and uncover fundamental insights for the design of next-generation electrochemical materials and devices.