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Chunmei Ban, a professor in the��Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder, has received a Fulbright Global Scholar award to explore the future of energy storage through next-generation battery technologies.

The prestigious program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, supports international academic and cultural exchange in the form of multi-regional projects involving research and teaching activities.��

The award will support collaborations with researchers in Singapore, the United Kingdom and Germany, where Ban will study safer battery materials, investigate emerging non-lithium battery alternatives and strengthen global partnerships in battery research and education.

“I am extremely grateful for all my collaborators, mentors and students for helping me reach this incredible milestone,” said Ban, who is also affiliated with the��Materials Science & Engineering Program. “Our lab group has spent a long time developing and even commercializing electrochemical materials for energy storage. This project is a wonderful opportunity for us to dive deeper into new battery materials and applications.”

Powering the future

The project is built around three central priorities. The first is identifying more sustainable battery materials.

According to Ban, most current battery technologies—including lithium-ion batteries—contain high levels of fluorine that allows them to have improved cycling stability at high operating voltages.��

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Professor Chunmei Ban and her students in the Ban Surface Science and Engineering Research Group.

However, fluorine compounds often break down when they are exposed to water, creating a highly corrosive acid that can cause both environmental harm and unwanted reactions.

“Can we reduce fluorine content in batteries without sacrificing performance?” Ban asked. “Finding that balance and commercializing those options is one of the key points of the project.”

The second goal is to expand the possibilities of energy storage by exploring battery technologies beyond lithium.

While lithium batteries have their strengths, such as high energy density, Ban says emerging technologies based on different materials could provide other advantages where certain performance characteristics are needed.

“Every battery chemistry has its own properties,” said Ban. “There is no such thing as better or worse. It’s about finding the right battery and the right chemistry for every individual application.”

One promising alternative is sodium-ion technology. Unlike lithium, sodium provides low energy density and is one of the most abundant materials in the world, making it a cost-effective battery option.

By investigating these alternatives and building a more diverse battery landscape that is less dependent on lithium, Ban believes the project can help solve supply chain restrictions, ease geopolitical tensions and better meet the needs of different communities and industries.

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Professor and Fulbright awardee Chunmei Ban.

The last goal of the project is education.��

During her visits overseas, Ban will lead a series of workshops and talks inviting undergraduate students, graduate students and even scholars to learn more about battery technology.

She hopes to bridge the gap between culture and engineering to inspire student involvement in battery science and encourage collaboration with �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder.

“This is one of my favorite parts of the project because I don’t believe science should have any borders,” Ban said. “We all only have one Earth and it’s our responsibility to work together so we can maintain its health and our own quality of life. To do this, communication is super important, so I’m really excited to lead the charge, open the conversation and start exchanging ideas.”

But it’s not just a chance for Ban to educate others. It’s a chance for her to learn, as well.

“In Germany, I will be visiting a leading manufacturing facility that has done a great job supporting the commercialization of new battery materials, designs and cell configurations,” said Ban. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to learn more about the manufacturing process and how we can improve it using AI, machine learning or other advanced tools that we use in our lab on a daily basis.”