Research
Lab Automation
In an emerging research paradigm, we are building AI-driven labs that integrate automated experimenting with artificial intelligence-guided data interpretentation and decision-making to synthesize and evaluate new materials.
Selected Publications:
Y. Fei†, B. Rendy†, Y. Zeng*, G. Ceder*, et al. AlabOS: a Python-based reconfigurable workflow management framework for autonomous laboratories. Digital Discovery 2024.
N. J. Szymanski†, B. Rendy†, Y. Fei†, R.E. Kumar†, Y. Zeng*, G. Ceder*, et al. An autonomous laboratory for the accelerated synthesis of novel materials. Nature 2023, 624, 86–91.
N. J. Szymanski, Y. Zeng, H. Huo, C. Bartel, H. Kim, and G. Ceder*, Toward Autonomous Design and Synthesis of Novel Inorganic Materials. Mater. Horiz. 2021, 8 (8), 2169–2198.
All-solid-state batteries
High-entropy materials
Energy Materials
Innovative materials play a critical role in achieving a net-zero future. Our focus is to develop alternative high-performing materials for next-generation energy storage techniques through design, synthesis, and electrochemical analysis. We closely collaborate with computational scientists on ab-initio modeling and beamline scientists on advanced in-situ characterizations at synchrotron and neutron facilities
Selected Publications:
Y. He, E. Scivally, A. Shaji, B. Ouyang*, Y. Zeng*. Unraveling the Fast Ionic Conduction in NASICON-Type Materials. Advanced Energy Materials 2024, 2403877.
Y. Zeng†, B. Ouyang†*, J. Liu, Y.W. Byeon, Z. Cai, L.J. Miara, Y. Wang, G. Ceder*. High-entropy mechanism to boost ionic conductivity. Science 2022, 378, 6626, 1320–1324.
K. Jun†, Y. Sun†, Y. Xiao, Y. Zeng, G. Ceder*, et al. Lithium superionic conductors with corner-sharing frameworks. Nature Materials 2022, 21 (8), 924-931.
N. J. Szymanski†, Y. Zeng†, G. Ceder*, et al. Understanding the fluorination of disordered rocksalt cathodes through rational exploration of synthesis pathways. Chemistry of Materials 2022, 34, 15, 7015–7028.
Y. Zeng, H.C. Chiu, B. Ouyang, K. Zaghib, G. P. Demopoulos*. Defect engineering of iron-rich orthosilicate cathode materials with enhanced lithium-ion intercalation capacity and kinetics. ACS Applied Energy Materials 2020, 3, 1, 675–686.
Process Engineering
Recycling end-of-life products offers unique opportunities for creating resilient domestic supply chains of critical metals. We develop efficient and sustainable chemical extraction, separation, and recovery processes in closed-loop by integrating thermodynamic modeling, automation, and AI.
Selected Publications:
S. Wang, N. J. Szymanski, Y. Fei, W. Dong, J. N. Christensen, Y. Zeng*, M. Whittaker, G. Ceder*. Direct lithium extraction from α-spodumene through solid-state reactions for sustainable Li2CO3 production. Inorganic Chemistry 2024.
X. Zhang, X. Zeng, Y. Shan, Y. Zeng*, Z. Li*, E. Asselin. Solubility and modeling of Li2SO4·H2O in aqueous H2SO4–MgSO4 solutions for lithium extraction from spodumene. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 2022, 67 (4), 919-931.
Y. Zeng, G. P. Demopoulos*, et al. Hydrothermal crystallization of Pmn21 Li2FeSiO4 hollow mesocrystals for Li-ion cathode application. Chemical Engineering Journal 2019, 359: 1592–1602.
Y. Zeng, Z. Li*, G. P. Demopoulos. Process for glycine production by antisolvent crystallization using its phase equilibria in the ethylene glycol–NH4Cl–water system. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2016, 55(8): 2426−2437.