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�鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder researchers are exploring the use of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-based energy storage.

While sodium is abundant and could help address supply chain issues linked to lithium scarcity, current sodium-ion batteries have not performed as well as lithium-ion batteries due to their lower energy density and shorter lifespans.

To tackle these challenges, Chunmei Ban, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, and her research team are developing new electrolytes and studying how they interact with battery electrodes to enhance performance and longevity.

Funded by the , this work aims to improve the overall effectiveness of sodium-ion batteries making them a more viable energy storage option.

Ban notes that sodium, widely distributed in the Earth’s crust, is an appealing candidate for large-scale energy storage solutions and is an emerging market in the United States.

“The sodium-ion battery market provides significant opportunities for new companies and a pathway to domestic manufacturing dominance,” said Ban. “Sodium may offer a potential remedy to concerns over resource scarcity with lithium-ion batteries.”

Researching battery alternatives

Kangmin Kim, a fourth-year chemical engineering student and BOLD Scholar, participated in the research project through �鶹��Ѱ�����SPUR gaining hands-on experience in hopes to further his research interest in battery technologies for graduate school.

“Lithium battery technology is reaching a point where improvements are becoming more incremental than transformative,” said Kim, “so we need alternative renewable technologies that we can rely on.” 

He believes improved battery technology is essential for advancing society and fostering a more sustainable energy future.

“We will need these improved battery technologies for everything from electric vehicles to drones and cell phones,” he said.

Through Kim’s research experience, he developed battery fabrication skills and learned the importance of precision and attention to detail in creating high-quality batteries.

“The lab work was actually quite similar to cooking, which is an activity I love to do,” said Kim. “Knowing what ingredients we need, what precautions must be taken, what tools and techniques are used are just like working in the lab.”

In mentoring students like Kim, Ban highlights how fulfilling it is to work with students who demonstrate a strong passion for science and technology and eagerness to learn.

“It has been a rewarding experience to witness undergraduate students like Kangmin grow their research and scientific skills in helping to solve some of our major global challenges.” 

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Standing-room-only event was part of �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder’s annual Research & Innovation Week held Oct. 14-18

The College of Engineering & Applied Science welcomed a packed audience to its Robotics Showcase on Oct. 17. The standing-room-only event, part of �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder’s annual Research & Innovation Week, drew students, faculty and robotics enthusiasts, including middle and high school students and the general public, eager to explore the latest advancements in research shaping the future of the field.

The event emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of CU’s robotics research, showcasing collaborations across electrical, computer and energy engineering; mechanical engineering; aerospace engineering sciences; and computer science to tackle complex societal challenges. 

Attendees were treated to demonstrations of bio-inspired robots (Kaushik Jayaram and Nicole Xu), autonomous drone systems (Nisar Ahmed), robots with human-like dexterity (Nikolaus Correll), and robot skin technology (Alessandro Roncone), as well as Boston Dynamics’ Spot. The demos highlighted technologies poised to transform fields such as search and rescue, deep-sea exploration and industrial maintenance in challenging environments, while improving human-robot capabilities and interactions.

In addition to the research on display, �鶹��Ѱ�����Engineering introduced its new graduate degrees in robotics— two master’s programs (Master of Science in Robotics thesis option and Master of Science in Robotics nonthesis option) and a PhD in Robotics—launched in 2023. These programs offer students immersive, hands-on research opportunities that engage them with the technologies featured at the showcase, preparing them to lead in the evolving robotics landscape.

�鶹��Ѱ�����Engineering’s Research Support Office extends its thanks to all the participants who made the event a success. For more details, check out media coverage by the Boulder Daily Camera in the article” and Denver7’s,” which spotlight �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder’s leadership in robotics research and innovation.

Showcase Highlights

The Robotics Showcase featured a range of innovative research that exemplifies �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder’s interdisciplinary collaboration and commitment to addressing real-world problems. Highlights included:

• Shape-Morphing Insect-Scale Robots
  Kaushik Jayaram (ME, Robotics)
  Hari Hari Prasad presented insect-scale robots capable of changing shape to adapt to their environment. These shape-shifting systems demonstrate agility and adaptability, essential for real-world applications in challenging environments.
• Human-Centered Autonomy for Dynamic sUAS Target Search Operations
  Nisar Ahmed (AERO, Robotics)
  Hunter Ray demonstrated advances in autonomous drone systems that enhance collaboration with human operators. These drones are designed for search and rescue missions, leveraging real-time data from operators to improve decision-making.
• Open World Manipulation
  Nikolaus Correll (CS, Robotics)
  William Xie demonstrated robots with human-like dexterity, integrating sensors, actuators, and communication capabilities into composite materials to create robots that mimic the functionality of muscles, skin, and bones.
• Bioinspired and Biohybrid Robotics
  Nicole Xu (ME, Robotics)
  Yunxing Su demonstrated research on aquatic robots for environmental monitoring. These robots combine natural and engineered designs to create energy-efficient, maneuverable systems for tracking climate change.
• Robot Skin and Dynamic Human-Robot Interaction
  Alessandro Roncone (CS, Robotics)
  Dusty Woods, Caleb Escobedo and Claire Lohrmann demonstrated robot skin technology that enhances human-robot interactions. These modular sensor units, placed on robot manipulators, enable robots to safely and intuitively respond to external contact.
• NSF IUCRC Center for Aerial Autonomy, Mobility, and Sensing (CAAMS)
  Zachary Sunberg (AERO, Robotics)
  Sunberg’s lab demonstrated autonomous drones in wilderness search and rescue operations. By integrating human operators into the decision-making process, these drones improve the efficiency and safety of missions in remote environments.

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