Shuo Chen
Associate Professor, Department of Physics, University of Houston
Title: Nanocomposite materials for energy conversion and storage
Abstract: Composite materials are made up of two or more constituent materials. Through proper design, composite materials can combine the properties of their components and interfaces to optimize the overall performance. Especially, nanostructured composite materials are interesting due to their short diffusion paths and profound interfaces. In this presentation, I will introduce our efforts in developing nanocomposite materials for energy applications, such as Mg3Sb2-based materials for thermoelectric devices and chalcogenide-based materials for sodium ion batteries. I will also present our understanding of the materials' properties, which is based on detailed characterizations of compositions and microstructures using ex-situ and in-situ transmission electron microscopy.
Biography:
Shuo Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Houston. She received her B.S. in Physics from Peking University in China in 2002, and then her Ph.D. in Physics from Boston College in 2006. Her research focuses on materials physics, with a particular emphasis on the synthesis and in-situ electron microscopy of nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage, such as batteries, electrocatalysts, and thermoelectrics. She has published more than 150 papers, with an H-index of 73, and is a recipient of the Robert A. Welch Professorship.
Host: Dr. Mona Zebarjadi
Organizer: Dr. Mona Zebarjadi