The Zeng Research Lab at Vanderbit University develops innovative materials, chemical processes, and autonomous research tools for next-generation energy technologies. By integrating materials chemistry, synthesis science, advanced characterization, computational modeling, robotics, and artificial intelligence, we seek to accelerate discovery and deepen our understanding of how energy materials form, function, and can be sustainably produced. Our research centers on three interconnected areas: 

Energy Materials: We investigate how synthesis controls the structure, properties, and electrochemical performance of complex materials for energy storage and conversion. 

Autonomous Laboratories: We build self-driving laboratories that combine robotics, AI and machine learning, modeling, and advanced characterization to accelerate experimentation and reveal complex synthesis pathways. 

Critical Mineral Processing: We develop sustainable mineral-to-materials strategies for transforming abundant resources into critical energy materials through thermodynamics-guided process design and autonomous optimization.

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