PNNL

The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, or JCESR, is a partnership that brings together researchers, engineers, and manufacturers who share the goal of developing new, clean energy storage technologies for vehicles, the electric grid, and beyond. More than 150 scientists are focused on one mission—to design and build new materials for next-generation batteries with higher performance and lifespans for their specific applications.

PNNL is one of five national laboratory JCESR partners. We work to overcome critical scientific and technical barriers and create new, breakthrough energy storage technologies by:

• Improving understanding of the transfer of charge across dynamic interfaces
• Predicting the behavior of new materials for electrolytes and electrodes
• Developing and applying advanced nuclear magnetic resonance, ion soft landing, and imaging methods in concert with simulations of advanced energy storage materials

We have made great strides in learning about the movement of ions and molecules through electrolytes and as they approach electrodes by studying and developing model systems and real batteries as they cycle. We use powerful and innovative scientific instruments to see exactly what is happening at the molecular level while batteries are charging and discharging. As we move toward higher energy densities and longer life cycles, we are also focused on making sure that next-generation battery technologies are safe and sustainable.