Operando Characterization and Mechanistic Understanding
The Kazyak Lab develops advanced operando and in situ characterization techniques to directly observe electrochemical processes as they occur in working energy storage systems. By combining optical imaging, electrochemical measurements, spectroscopy, and data analysis, we investigate how ions, electrons, interfaces, and microstructures evolve during operation. These tools enable us to uncover the fundamental mechanisms governing performance, degradation, and failure, while bridging length scales from individual particles to full cells. Our goal is to establish the mechanistic understanding needed to accelerate the development of next-generation energy storage technologies.
Battery Safety and Reliability
As batteries become increasingly important in transportation, grid storage, defense, and consumer devices, ensuring their safe and reliable operation is critical. Our research focuses on understanding the thermal, chemical, and mechanical processes that lead to degradation, thermal runaway, and catastrophic failure. We develop new experimental platforms to study heat generation, gas evolution, ignition phenomena, and failure propagation in conventional and emerging battery chemistries. By revealing the root causes of safety incidents, we aim to provide the scientific foundation for safer battery materials, cell designs, and qualification methods.
Interfaces for Extreme Conditions
Many of the most important challenges facing electrochemical energy storage—including fast charging, low-temperature operation, long cycle life, and high-rate performance—are governed by interfaces. Our group engineers and studies interfaces using approaches such as atomic layer deposition, surface modification, and three-dimensional architectures to control chemistry, transport, and morphology. By understanding how interfaces evolve under demanding operating conditions, we develop strategies to improve performance, durability, and reliability across a wide range of battery systems.
Sustainable and Earth-Abundant Energy Storage
We are developing energy storage technologies that are not only high-performing, but also scalable, sustainable, and economically viable. Our work includes sodium-based batteries, solid-state batteries, recyclable electrode materials, direct electrochemical recycling processes, and novel electrochemical manufacturing concepts. By emphasizing earth-abundant materials, domestic supply chains, safety, and recyclability, we seek to enable energy storage solutions capable of supporting widespread electrification and long-term energy sustainability.