National Science Foundation Structure-Property Relations in Lithium Garnet Oxides Wei Lai, Michigan State University, DMR Outcome: Researchers at Michigan State University have synthesized and studied a family of lithium garnet oxides that conduct lithium ions in the solid state. Impact: Such materials could potentially revolutionize the battery designs and provide a jumpstart for the next-generation high energy/power density batteries. Detailed understanding of structure-property relations in these materials will facilitate the optimization of materials performance and discovery of new materials. Explanation: Materials that conduct ions in the solid state, i.e. solid electrolytes, are attractive alternatives to commercial liquid-electrolytes to achieve the uttermost safety against leakage and flammability. Lithium garnet oxides are a new class of materials that can be used as solid electrolytes in next-generation solid-state batteries. Such materials possess a solid-like framework backbone, similar to a concrete building, and a liquid-like ion network, similar to human motion in different rooms of the building. Professor Wei Lai, of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, led the team, which developed a family of lithium garnet oxides as solid electrolytes and studied their structure- property relations. Solid framework (building) Liquid network (human)

National Science Foundation Lithium Distribution in Lithium Garnet Oxides Wei Lai, Michigan State University, DMR Neutron diffraction and atomistic simulation on the lithium garnet oxide series Li 7- x La 3 Zr 2-x Ta x O 12 have provided new insight into lithium distribution in these materials. Li 5 La 3 Ta 2 O 12 Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 Li 6 La 3 TaZrO 12 It was found that distribution of liquid-like lithium ions in the structure is mainly determined by the nearest- neighbor Li-Li repulsion. As more lithium ions are stuffed into the structure, the increase number of Li-Li pairs leads to more dispersed distribution of lithium ions, e.g. from Li 5 La 3 Ta 2 O 12 to Li 6 La 3 TaZrO 12. At Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12, lithium ordering was observed. This ordering is accompanied by the minimum number of Li-Li pairs and maximum Li-Li distance (minimum repulsion).

National Science Foundation Materials in Batteries Around You (MBAY) Wei Lai, Michigan State University, DMR The goal of the MBAY program is to raise awareness and inspire interests (outcome Engagement) of students in the science and engineering principles involved in battery devices (outcome Knowledge). Students work with “everyday” items, such as fruits, vegetables, water, metal nails, etc., to build a working battery that can power alphanumeric light-emitting- diodes. Around students participate the MBAY program each year. html 7 th graders with their 20 V orange battery