Analysis of Complex Electrochemical Systems (ACES) lab

In our lab we study mechanisms within complex electrochemical systems. Practical electrochemical systems such as batteries, sensors, and fuel cells are often complex, involving engineered high surface area electrodes, starved electrolyte conditions, phase transformations, and interplay of the two electrodes. For these reasons there are significant deviations from ideal behavior as well as emergent or unexpected phenomena. We seek to understand these to engineer better devices for broad societal benefit, such as the worldwide adoption of sustainable energy.

Professor Joshua Gallaway Associate Professor Department of Chemical Engineering Northeastern University	Curriculum Vitae Google Scholar Twitter
Office: 215 Cullinane Hall Lab: 252 Egan Research Center j.gallaway at northeastern.edu (617) 373-3769	Office Hours Spring 2025: Monday 11-12, CN 215

TEM of hydrated and dehydrated birnessite

Posted on April 20, 2025 by joshuagallaway

I had a reason to look at Matt Kim’s PhD dissertation, which was about synthesis of layered MnO₂ birnessite compounds for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. We published his work in this paper, but at the end of his dissertation I saw this image that didn’t make it into the paper. On the left you see a regular birnessite with a 7 angstrom interlayer, and on the right you see a dehydrated version, which is smaller because it is dehydrated and the interlayer H₂O is gone.

I was looking at this and I was amazed because on the left I can see the H₂O molecules between the layers. On the right you see black space only. Kind of a work of art. Matt, I’m sorry I left this out of the paper. Cutting the 60 figures down into a manuscript wasn’t the most orderly process, and I really should have left this one in. 🙂

Joshua Gallaway – Electrochemist

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TEM of hydrated and dehydrated birnessite

Ephemera