Dr. Lee received the 2018 CAREER Award for his research on Scalable Electrochemical Exfoliation and Functionalization of Two-Dimensional Atomic Layer Materials for Energy Storage. Two-dimensional (2D) atomic layer materials have the potential to revolutionize electrochemical energy storage devices, including rechargeable Li-ion batteries, by improving energy and power performances. Currently, available manufacturing processes for 2D materials generally require high temperatures or complex chemical treatments, limiting their large-scale production. Through this NSF CAREER award, Dr. Lee will focus on understanding and designing the scalable electrochemical manufacturing process of high-quality 2D nanomaterials with controlled properties. This proposed work will directly generate essential knowledge that supports nanomanufacturing and energy industry to produce high-performance 2D materials for various energy storage applications, including consumer electronics, electric vehicles, smart grids, and renewable energy storage systems.
Dr. Lee’s research is multidisciplinary, including manufacturing, electrochemistry and nanotechnology, and motivates students with diverse backgrounds to consider future careers in science and engineering. The project develops an energy education module in collaboration with high school teachers to teach energy storage mechanisms and calculation of energy and power densities tied with chemistry, physics, and math curricula. The energy education module can be tested and expanded over a broad range of underrepresented students through NSF INCLUDES program.
“We congratulate Seung Woo Lee with this outstanding achievement!” said Dr. Bert Bras, Interim Chair of the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech.