Transportation

The transportation sector accounts for about one-quarter of global emissions. If we are going to lower emissions and move towards sustainable transportation, electrification of the transportation sector is  paramount. However, there are still technological challenges that prevent rapid adoption of electrified and more efficient transportation. Electric vehicle adoption is hindered by limited driving ranges, high up-front costs, and a lack of charging stations. We are focused on resolving critical roadblocks that prevent the electrification of the transportation sector. 

The following research groups are focused on solutions to help transform the transportation sector:

• The Grid Integration Group is working to strengthen the evolving power grid to meet the growing demand from electric vehicles.
• The Energy Conversion Group is focused on finding ways to make hydrogen fuel cells and electrochemical and photo-electrochemical fuel generation a viable solution for the transportation sector.
• ​The Energy Storage Group works to advance next-generation battery technology that can decrease the cost and increase the range of electric cars. 
• The Laser Technologies Group develops novel real-time technologies for direct 3D chemical analysis of Li-ion battery materials and for the study of their complex interfacial phenomena in the nanoscale.
• ​The Applied Energy Materials Group is developing energy storage and high performance materials that will contribute to next-generation battery and vehicle technology. 
• The Thermal Science Group works to better understand and improve thermal transport in batteries to enable extreme fast charging of electric vehicles and improve battery lifetime and performance.