University of Pittsburgh: delivering sustainable solutions to current challenges in energy storage and conversion

Energy systems drive every aspect of our modern life, from cell phones to electric cars and even space travel. But to achieve energy that is clean, renewable and reliable, we need better batteries and fuel cells. If scientists could see inside energy storage and conversion systems while they operate, they could not only identify where changes are needed, but also develop new materials to enhance their performance. A unique collaboration in the US between University of Pittsburgh’s Kumta Lab and Malvern Panalytical is enabling researchers to do just that.

If we can create a battery pack system that can be charged or recharged on a continuous basis using wind and solar power – for example, a car that charges while you drive – we will eliminate the current reliance on carbon and fossil fuels almost entirely.

Dr. Prashant N. Kumta

Dr. Prashant N. Kumta and his team aim to deliver improvements in two key areas:

• Energy storage: The lithium-sulfur battery is viewed as an attractive replacement for the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries currently used in applications such as electric vehicles, cell phones and laptops. Kumta Lab is targeting improvements to its safety, cost and efficiency.
• Energy conversion: The lab’s primary focus is water electrolysis and hydrogen fuel cells. These are clean, renewable and low carbon energy sources that could help to achieve net zero goals, but they are currently very costly. 

Using data and insights drawn from Malvern Panalytical’s Empyrean X-ray diffractometer, Dr. Kumta and his team are working towards achieving a series of ambitious goals:

Thanks to this partnership, we are on the precipice of something really neat and cool.