Innovative energy storage

The next generation of battery technology to lower cost, improve efficiency, and most importantly, benefit the environment

High performance lithium-ion batteries

Demand for powerful, long-life and low-cost energy sources for new technology is driving research in the field to innovative heights.

At UOW, the Energy Storage Materials Research Group is making significant contributions through the development of materials and technologies for a new generation of energy storage devices that are high energy density, long life cycle and low cost.

The team, led by Professor Hua Kun Liu, has developed numerous advanced materials and novel technologies for use in lithium batteries, supercapacitators, fuel cells, hydrogen storage and in hybrid electric vehicles and portable technology devices.

The team’s major contributions include research that has developed a number of strategies to enhance the electrochemical performance of Lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are used across portable electronics such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets and are increasingly used in transport applications such as hybrid cars.

The contribution of the energy storage group to lithium-ion battery research is demonstrated by its track record of publishing in high-impact, refereed international journals and its substantial citation rate. They also collaborate with a number of national and international industrial organisations. 

Smart battery management for electric vehicles

The race for alternative fuel and green technologies is speeding up worldwide, with the electric drive system for cars, trucks and other transport, a main focus.

At the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, the Institute of Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) has been undertaking electric vehicle research since 2013.

Led by Distinguished Professor Shi Xue Dou and Dr Khay Wai See, the team’s core research focus is on the development of a system for complete, in-vehicle energy monitoring and management. This system encompasses the latest sensing technology, offering superb accuracy and sensitivity for effectively and appropriately monitoring large battery packs.

A major development for the team was the retrofitting of a standard passenger vehicle to be fully battery-powered. This prototype provides an ongoing research platform for further development and refining of state-of-the-art monitoring technology for future electric vehicles.