Research Area
We develop and apply advanced electron microscopy to understand the structure, chemistry, and dynamics of materials across scales.
Battery Materials Characterization
Battery performance is measured at the cell level, but the origins of degradation hide at the atomic scale. We investigate the origin of capacity fade and impedance rise in next-generation energy storage materials—including all-solid-state batteries, Na/K-ion batteries, and Ni-rich cathodes. By combining advanced electron microscopy with electrochemical data, we uncover process–structure–performance relationships.
In Situ / Operando EM
Most electron microscopy captures only a frozen snapshot—a single moment in time. In situ and operando techniques break that constraint, letting us watch atoms and phases reorganize in real time as batteries charge and discharge. This reveals the dynamic mechanisms behind ion diffusion, phase boundary migration, and mechanical failure.
Data-Driven Electron Microscopy
A single 4D-STEM scan or EELS map can generate a vast amount of data, often beyond the practical limits of conventional manual analysis. AEML develops computational workflows that integrate AI/ML into electron microscopy data processing to automate defect detection, phase segmentation, and spectral decomposition. In doing so, we extend the power of localized electron microscopy toward statistically meaningful analysis of large-scale datasets.
Electron Microscopy-Based 3D Structural Analysis
Materials are inherently three-dimensional, yet most electron microscopy techniques yield 2D projections that cannot fully capture critical information such as pore connectivity, crack geometry, and interface morphology. AEML reconstructs the three-dimensional structure of complex materials using STEM tomography and FIB-SEM serial sectioning. The resulting 3D datasets contribute to the structural design of next-generation battery electrodes and to failure analysis.