Materials Development Division

Hydrogen Functional Materials Research Laboratory

 

Prof.Takahiko SASAKI

  • Prof.  Shin-ichi ORIMO (WPI-AIMR)
  • Assoc. Prof. Toyoto SATO
  • Assist. Prof. Kei OKAMOTO
  • Assist. Prof. Yusuke OHASHI

Materials Science of "HYDRIDES" for Energy Applications

Our division is engaged in researches on ”HYDRIDES” for energy applications. The main subjects are the development of high-density hydrogen storage materials for fuel cell applications, lithium/sodium fast-ionic conductors for battery applications and superconducting materials.

The primary objective is the development of novel hydrogen storage materials for automotive applications, using multiple cutting-edge techniques for atomic/electronic characterization and first-principles calculations. In addition to the hydrogen storage materials, we are engaged in the development of fastionic conductors and the implementation of them into next-generation energy devices.

high-density hydrogen storage materials, superionic conductors, next generation batteries
Hydrogen diagram (top) illustrating the bonding flexibility of hydrogen with a tetrahedron

Hydrogen diagram (top) illustrating the bonding flexibility of hydrogen with a tetrahedron; the spheres located at each vertex represent a proton (H+), a hydride ion (H), covalently bonded hydrogen (HCOV.) and neutral hydrogen (H0). Novel complex hydride Li5MoH11 containing MoH93− with 9-fold H coordination (bottom right) synthesized by high-temperature and high-pressure apparatus utilizing cubic-type multi-anvil press (bottom left).

Calcium batteries employing new fluorine-free electrolyte

Calcium batteries employing new fluorine-free electrolyte using hydrogen cluster Ca(CB11H12)2 in THF/DME mixed solvent with high conductivity and high electrochemical stability against anode and cathode electrodes.

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