Research Highlights

Magnetically aligned electrodes predicted to increase lithium-ion battery capacity by as much as 25%

CMI research at Ames Laboratory developed a coupled electrochemical-thermal-mechanical model to predict the electrochemical degradation and performance of magnetically aligned electrodes in lithium-ion batteries for fast-charging applications

Capacity gain vs. relative tortuosity. Note the more than 25% gain at low tortuosity for the high charging rate 4C.

Transition Metal-like Carbocatalyst (NACs) for Activating Strong Bonds

Discovery of the first metal-free carbocatalyst (nitrogen assembly carbons

Topological Electronic Control by Quantum Periodic Motion

Imposing vibrational coherence into topological states may become a universal light control principle for reinforcing protected quantum transport.

Illustration of topological control by quantum periodic motion

Dark-state-based low-loss dual-response metasurfaces

Hybrid dark-state metasurfaces achieved separate implementation of resonance and electromagnetic response, enabling more versatile and configurable metamaterials.

Determining the Edge Termination of h-BN Nanosheets

Identifying the functional groups that passivate the edges of exfoliated h-BN nanosheets will facilitate the development of this important 2D nanomaterial.

Unexpected Discharge Mechanism in Selenium Batteries

Advanced TEM, SSNMR, and electroanalytical techniques revealed that the sodiation mechanism of selenium in microporous carbon is unexpectedly inhomogeneous, both spatially and in terms of composition. These combined findings highlight the complex phenomenology of electrochemical phase transformations in nanoconfined materials, which may profoundly differ from their “free” counterparts.

Illustration of sodiation in a selenium battery

Optical detection and manipulation of spontaneous gyrotropic electronic order

Discovery of an extremely rare electronic order. Chirality realized by a spontaneous ordering of the quantum mechanical electronic charge density. Optical induction of quantum matter. Circularly polarized light can control electronic chirality, which is closely related to topological properties.

Spin-to-charge conversion in a magnetic Weyl semimetal

The unique topological band crossings in the magnetic Weyl semimetal controls the spin-to-charge conversion. This provides novel pathways to manipulate the effect and can be exploited in potential applications in quantum materials.

Topological Quantum Switching via Light-Driven Raman Coherence

A topological switching principle is established by periodically driven, Raman phonon oscillations.
Time-dependence of such periodic driving is revealed which is needed for topological transistors and THz quantum gate applications.

Quantum beats unveils hidden Rashba effects in perovskite photovoltaics

Harnessing of phonon coherence and symmetry demonstrates “Rashba engineering” of spin-split bands for multifunctional devices.