Electrochemical Devices

Image of iron and water flow battery

The battery is probably the world’s most ubiquitous electrochemical device, and the most familiar. From our cars (even the standard combustion-engine kind) to our phones to a collection of other devices, batteries give us power on the move. But they’re far from the only electrochemical device the world relies on to run smoothly. In addition to building better batteries, our researchers are using electrochemistry to improve metals production, manufacture state-of-the-future microprocessors and advance green energy.

Electrochemical devices either generate electricity from a chemical reaction (like a battery) or use electrical energy to cause a chemical reaction (like a catalyst). Our researchers are making discoveries in both spheres to make advances in energy storage, manufacturing and more. They are designing batteries that can store and release intermittent forms of energy harvested from renewable sources like wind and solar. They’re lowering the cost of producing metals like titanium and aluminum—critical components for the aerospace and renewable energy industries. They’re developing more efficient catalysts for green energy systems and using electrolysis to improve production of the microprocessors that will power next-generation electronics. We collaborate with scientists from across the university through the Great Lakes Energy Institute, and our close ties with industry give our researchers the opportunity to work with corporate partners on solutions that meet the challenges of the real world.

Institutes, centers and labs related to Electrochemical Devices

Faculty who conduct research in Electrochemical Devices

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Rohan Akolkar

Milton and Tamar Maltz Professor of Energy Innovation
Chief Scientist (Joint Appointmet), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Professor, Chemical Engineering
Director, Electronic Design Center (EDC)

Develops new electrochemical processes for applications including nano-material fabrication, energy storage, electrometallurgy and sensors

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Hoda Amani Hamedani

Research Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

Develops multifunctional materials and flexible nanostructured platforms for electrochemical and biomedical devices, localized drug delivery, neural interfacing, and electrochemical sensing; studies nanomaterials evolution/interactions in controlled (liquid) environments using in-situ characterization techniques

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Uzi Landau

Professor Emeritus, Chemical Engineering

Designs advanced electrochemical systems and processes

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Chung-Chiun Liu

Wallace R. Persons Professor of Sensor Technology & Control
Distinguished University Professor
Professor Emeritus, Chemical Engineering
Director Emeritus of EDC, Electronics Design Center

Develops chemical and biomedical sensors for single-use, cost-effective measurements

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Heidi Martin

Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering

Develops diamond electrodes for electrochemical and neural device applications

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Julie Renner

Dean's Fellow for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering

Develops biomolecular platforms to control solid-liquid interfaces and enable a new generation of advanced technologies

Publications

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Robert Savinell

George S. Dively Professor in Engineering
Distinguished University Professor
Professor, Chemical Engineering

Develops high-performance electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies through fundamental and applied studies of interfacial and transport processes

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Jesse Wainright

Professor, Chemical Engineering

Develops novel electrochemical systems for grid-level energy conversion and storage