Energy storage

Research update: Team observes real-time charging of a lithium-air batteryImaging reveals what happens during charging; could lead to improved batteries for electric cars.

The case for optimism about a renewable energy futureResearcher Eric Martinot presents findings of two-year project at campus event

Wind power — even without the windInnovative storage system could enable offshore wind farms to deliver power whenever it’s needed.

A novel ultracapacitorEnergy when and where you need it.

New technique reveals lithium in actionFundamental reactions behind advanced battery technology, revealed in detail by advanced imaging method, could lead to improved materials.

Liquid batteries could level the loadMIT team makes progress toward goal of inexpensive grid-scale batteries that could help make intermittent renewable energy sources viable.

Revealing how a battery material worksMIT team uncovers a reason why the hottest new material for rechargeable batteries works so well.

Solving energy problems, one molecule at a timeMaterials scientist explores new possibilities in topics from molecules to rooftop solar panels.

Highly efficient oxygen catalyst foundNew catalyst, made of inexpensive and abundant materials, could prove useful in rechargeable batteries and hydrogen-fuel production.

Harnessing the Earth, the atom and the leafThere are many sources that can make a contribution to our energy supply, but likely not at a major scale in the near future.

‘Artificial leaf’ makes fuel from sunlightSolar cell bonded to recently developed catalyst can harness the sun, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Findings could lead to better hydrogen storageMIT-led research demonstrates method that could allow inexpensive carbon materials to store the volatile gas at room temperature.

A systematic way to find battery materialsNew understanding of high-performing cathode compound could facilitate rapid evaluation of improved alternatives.

Research update: Improving batteries’ energy storageNew method allows a dramatic boost in capacity for a given weight.

How to choose a catalystMIT researchers provide a simple principle to predict which materials will perform best in fuel cells and metal air batteries.

New battery design could give electric vehicles a joltSignificant advance in battery architecture could be breakthrough for electric vehicles and grid storage.

Energy Initiative announces new seed grant awardsMore than $2 million awarded to 14 projects

Electrifying transportation: Devil is in the detailsMIT symposium finds electric vehicle technology capabilities are way ahead of policy and infrastructure needs.

Doğutan, Nocera win award for microwave researchPostdoc, advisor recognized for significant contributions to renewable energy research

Don Sadoway on innovation in energy storage"What I Learned in 3.091 was All I Needed to Know" from Technology Day 2010

Thin films show surprising reactivityMIT findings of high oxygen activity in thin-film materials might someday lead to greatly increased power production from future fuel cells

Enhancing the power of batteriesMIT team finds that using carbon nanotubes in a lithium battery can dramatically improve its energy capacity.

New water-splitting catalyst foundResearch by MIT’s Dan Nocera expands the list of potential electrode materials that could be used to store energy.

Viruses harnessed to split waterMIT team’s biologically based system taps the power of sunlight directly, with the aim of turning water into hydrogen fuel.