OUR STORY
Energy Storage
Our team investigates electrochemical energy storage systems, including aluminum, lithium, and zinc batteries, as well as phase-change materials for thermal energy storage. We are particularly interested in studying and developing emerging battery chemistries, materials, and concepts, and are broadly interested in batteries comprised of earth abundant elements for grid-scale storage and electric transportation, as well as batteries for extreme conditions and space applications.
Emerging Battery Chemistries, Materials, & Concepts
We have major efforts in developing rechargeable aluminum metal batteries, including cathodes (graphite, organic, chalcogen, transition metal chalcogens) and electrolytes (mixtures, polymer gels). By doing so, we seek to unlock the tremendous potential of Al metal for battery applications: it is low-cost, earth abundant, inherently safe, energy dense, and easily recyclable.
Other emerging battery chemistries are of interest, including F-ion, lithium-ionic liquid batteries, and zinc-ionic liquid batteries.
Batteries for Extreme Conditions & Space Applications
Our team, in collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), studies why Li-ion batteries fail under extreme conditions (e.g., temperature, radiation) and develops electrolytes and materials for batteries that operate at low (-40 °C), high (100 °C), and/or wide (-30 to 100 °C) temperature ranges. The overarching goal is to develop Li-ion batteries with new capabilities that enhance the scope and ambition of JPL planetary science missions.
Also in collaboration with NASA JPL, we investigate the highest energy density battery chemistry yet realized, Li-CFx batteries, which are non-rechargeable but have applications ranging from space to medical to defense.
We also develop electrolytes for other battery chemistries at low temperatures, including rechargeable aluminum and zinc batteries.
Electrochemical Processes in Energy Storage Materials
In electrochemical energy storage systems, we study the interplay between ion mass transport and electrochemical kinetics.
Phase-Change Nanoemulsions for Thermal Energy Storage
We study the molecular origins of instability in low-cost phase-change nanoemulsions for thermal energy storage as they undergo thermodynamics phase transitions, particular by NMR spectroscopy. In collaboration with Dr. Ulrich Scheler, IPF-Dresden, rheo-NMR and MRI velocimetry are used to measure and understand the effects of shear on flow and hydrodynamic instabilities during thermal cycling.
Phone: +1 (212) 650-8204
Fax: +1 (212) 650-8013
The City College of New York
Grove School of Engineering
Steinman Hall, Room 327
160 Convent Ave
New York, NY 10031
rmessinger@ccny.cuny.edu