Advanced Materials and Characterization for Next Generation Batteries

Abstract:

Batteries are foundational to modern society, powering technologies from portable electronics and medical devices to electric vehicles and large-scale grid energy storage. Among the many battery technologies developed to date, lithium-ion batteries have become indispensable to modern life.

But how did we arrive at this point, and where do we go next? This talk traces the historical evolution of batteries, from early systems such as the Voltaic pile to the rise of lithium-ion technology, highlighting the scientific breakthroughs and limitations that shaped their development. As global energy demands continue to grow, critical questions arise: Can lithium-ion batteries alone meet future requirements?

In this context, the presentation will delve into emerging battery technologies, focusing on sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and recent breakthroughs in high-performance SIB electrode materials. It will highlight how advanced characterization at SLAC’s synchrotron facilities and the SLAC–Stanford Battery Center is accelerating the development of sodium-ion batteries as a low-cost, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion systems. The talk will also provide a glimpse into next-generation high-energy technologies, including lithium-sulfur and anion-shuttle batteries.

Speaker:

Dr. Ahamed Irshad
Associate Scientist

SLAC-Stanford Battery Center

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Dr. Ahamed Irshad is an Associate Scientist at the SLAC–Stanford Battery Center, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, with over a decade of experience in energy conversion and storage devices. His research spans both non-aqueous and aqueous battery systems, as well as electrocatalysis, with a particular focus on advancing next- generation materials, electrochemical techniques, and cutting-edge characterization methods to propel innovation in energy storage.

He earned his PhD in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, followed by a postdoctoral position and research associateship at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Dr. Irshad has collaborated extensively with leading organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army, and the Department of Energy, contributing to numerous high-impact battery research projects. His work has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications in prominent journals, including those of the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Electrochemical Society, alongside two patents.

Additionally, Dr. Irshad has served as a reviewer and topic editor for several esteemed international journals. His professional achievements have earned him multiple prestigious awards, including the Cottrell Scholar Award, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Fellowship, the Dr. J.C. Ghosh Medal, and the Indian Academy of Science Awards.

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