Eric D. Wachsman

Dr. Eric D Wachsman is the Director of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute, the Crentz Centennial Chair in Energy Research and a Distinguished University Professor in the Departments of both Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland. He is Past President of The Electrochemical Society (ECS) and Editor-in-Chief of Ionics. He is a Fellow of ECS, the American Ceramic Society, the National Academy of Inventors, and the World Academy of Ceramics. His research is focused on solid ion-conducting materials and electrocatalysts, and includes the development of solid-state batteries, solid oxide fuel cells, ion-transport membrane reactors, and solid-state gas sensors, using advanced ion conducting materials. He has more than 300 scientific publications and 40 patents/patent applications on ionic and electronic transport in materials, and their catalytic properties, and device performance, and to date four companies have been founded based on these technologies.

Transformative Solid-State Battery Technology, from Concept to Commercialization

Solid-state batteries are a transformational and intrinsically safe energy storage solution. However, progress has been limited by high solid-solid interfacial impedance and numerous reports of Li-dendrites. By modifying the electrolyte composition and interface in a rationally designed 3D architecture we have been able to overcome these limitations achieving both high energy density and cycling rates of 100 mA/cm2 at room temperature with no applied pressure. The science and engineering of this technology will be described as well as the path to commercialization and lessons learned in that endeavor.