DOE EFRC on Breakthrough Electrolytes for Energy Storage and Systems (BEES2)

Lead Institution:  Case Western Reserve University

Partner Institutions:  University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Texas A&M University, New York University, University of Notre Dame, Hunter College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

The overarching goal of BEES2 is to define design principles of structured electrolytes for achieving breakthroughs in energy density and transport rates of redox species and ions for advanced energy storage devices.  The scientific mission is to uncover transport mechanisms of ions, protons, redox species, and electrons in nano to meso scale structured electrolytes in the bulk and at the electrode-electrolyte interface.  Two classes of electrolytes are being pursued, namely CoHBEs (Concentrated Hydrogen-Bonded Electrolytes) and MicroEmulsions (μEs). Both of these are heterogeneous electrolytes whose physicochemical properties are governed by a combination of electrostatic, van der Waals, and hydrogen bonding interactions. BEES2 will facilitate a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and coordinate a comprehensive computational/synthesis/characterization/design program of study. The first thrust will focus on answering questions leading to an understanding of solvation, dynamics, and transport in the bulk fluids.   The second thrust will focus on answering questions leading to an understanding of interfacial structure and electron transfer as well as identifying critical factors governing stability and rates in flow cells. 

The research of BEES2 will also lead to broader scientific impacts by providing new molecular-level models that address diverse research problems in electrocatalysis, environmental sciences, energy conversion, separations, and sensors.