Our group is generally interested in studying the atomic and electronic structures of materials using advanced transmission electron microscopy. We study materials ranging from next generation battery cathodes to solar-cells and complex functional oxides. In addition, our group also develops new approaches to transmission electron microscopy, such as novel in-situ holders and nanoscale thermometry.
Overall, our focus is to develop an atomic-scale understanding of the structure-property relationship in complex materials using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (XEDS). We collaborate closely with partners at a variety of other institutions to combine our characterization approach with materials synthesis and modeling methods.
We are physically located in the Physics Department of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and we are also a member of the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR). Our research is supported by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy and several industrial sponsors.