Thrust 1

Unveil the mechanisms driving correlated alkali ion and proton transport in polymers.

The goal of this Thrust is to understand and realize new mechanisms of superionic conductivity (Li⁺, Na⁺, H⁺) in polymer-based materials (i.e., > 1 mS/cm at room temperature).

Key questions:

• What are the fundamental physics controlling charge transport in polymers and what are the microscopic mechanisms that determine energy barriers for ion hopping?
• Why does correlated ion motion suppress charge transport in polymeric materials, while it enhances charge transport in superionic glasses?