Advanced materials for electrostatic energy storage

About the Project

This multidisciplinary project spans materials science, chemistry and physics to develop lead-free environmental friendly materials for enhanced electrostatic energy storage.

With the environment and climate deteriorating, it is vital to speed up development of reliable energy storage devices that will allow renewable energy to be used indefinitely [1]. Chemical energy storage (e.g., batteries) and physical energy storage (e.g., capacitors) are the two primary types of energy storage technologies.

As capacitors, dielectrics aid in electrostatic energy storage and are critical energy storage components [2]. Dielectric capacitors (electrostatic energy storage capacitors) with high power densities are critical components of electrical and electronic systems for energy storage [3]. Dielectric capacitors are the most widely made and used capacitors, with trillions produced each year, and have countless applications, such as smart grids, electronic circuits, electric vehicles, wearable electronics, etc [4]. However, boosting their energy densities has been a long-standing difficulty. Improving energy density and other properties of dielectric capacitors will make them more competitive and complementary to batteries in energy storage applications.

The aim of the project is to improve the energy density of ceramic capacitors without compromising their thermal stability. This project will combine microstructure characterisation and performance testing to conduct a systematic study of the defect chemistry, phase transition, conduction, and polarisation mechanisms of ceramic-based energy storage materials; and to develop a new research guide for the design and development of superior lead-free energy storage materials.