Research
AI-Driven Robotic Laboratory
In an emerging research paradigm, we are building AI-driven labs that integrate automated experimenting with artificial intelligence-guided data interpretentation and decision-making to synthesize and evaluate new materials.
Selected Publications:
N. J. Szymanski†, B. Rendy†, Y. Fei†, R.E. Kumar†, Y. Zeng*, G. Ceder*, et al. An autonomous laboratory for the accelerated synthesis of novel materials. Nature 2023, 624, 86–91.
N. J. Szymanski, Y. Zeng, H. Huo, C. Bartel, H. Kim, and G. Ceder*, Toward Autonomous Design and Synthesis of Novel Inorganic Materials. Mater. Horiz. 2021, 8 (8), 2169–2198.
Energy Materials
Innovative materials play a critical role in achieving a net-zero future. Our focus is to develop alternative high-performing materials for next-generation energy storage techniques through design, synthesis, and electrochemical analysis. We closely collaborate with computational scientists on ab-initio modeling and beamline scientists on advanced in-situ characterizations at synchrotron and neutron facilities
All-solid-state batteries
High-entropy solid electrolytes
Selected Publications:
Y. Zeng†, B. Ouyang†*, J. Liu, Y.W. Byeon, Z. Cai, L.J. Miara, Y. Wang, G. Ceder*. High-entropy mechanism to boost ionic conductivity. Science 2022, 378, 6626, 1320–1324.
K. Jun†, Y. Sun†, Y. Xiao, Y. Zeng, G. Ceder*, et al. Lithium superionic conductors with corner-sharing frameworks. Nature Materials 2022, 21 (8), 924-931
N. J. Szymanski†, Y. Zeng†, G. Ceder*, et al. Understanding the fluorination of disordered rocksalt cathodes through rational exploration of synthesis pathways. Chemistry of Materials 2022, 34, 15, 7015–7028.
Y. Zeng, H.C. Chiu, B. Ouyang, K. Zaghib, G. P. Demopoulos*. Defect engineering of iron-rich orthosilicate cathode materials with enhanced lithium-ion intercalation capacity and kinetics. ACS Applied Energy Materials 2020, 3, 1, 675–686.
Process Engineering
Recycling end-of-life products offers unique opportunities for creating resilient domestic supply chains of critical metals. We develop efficient and sustainable chemical extraction, separation, and recovery processes in closed-loop by integrating modeling, automation, robotics, and AI.
Selected Publications:
X. Zhang, X. Zeng, Y. Shan, Y. Zeng*, Z. Li*, E. Asselin. Solubility and modeling of Li2SO4·H2O in aqueous H2SO4–MgSO4 solutions for lithium extraction from spodumene. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 2022, 67 (4), 919-931.
X. Zhang, Y. Zeng*, Z. Li*. Enhanced hydromagnesite process for CO2 sequestration by desilication of serpentine ore in NaOH solution. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2020, 59(25): 11370–11380.
Y. Zeng, G. P. Demopoulos*, et al. Hydrothermal crystallization of Pmn21 Li2FeSiO4 hollow mesocrystals for Li-ion cathode application. Chemical Engineering Journal 2019, 359: 1592–1602.
Y. Zeng, Z. Li*, G. P. Demopoulos. Process for glycine production by antisolvent crystallization using its phase equilibria in the ethylene glycol–NH4Cl–water system. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2016, 55(8): 2426−2437.