SuPER Lab · North Carolina State University
Electrochemical Engineering for a sustainable energy future.
We design materials, electrolytes, and processes that enable the next generation of batteries, reactors, and electrochemical separations — for grid-scale storage and clean manufacturing.
Motivation
A paradigm shift in the energy system
Metals and materials as energy carriers and building blocks
Our world is transitioning from a hydrocarbon-based energy system toward one built on metals and materials. Our research aims to accelerate this transition by conducting cutting-edge applied and fundamental research.
SuPER
Three applied thrusts, two fundamental themes.
Thrust 1
Sustainable Processing and Critical Materials
Low-emission, electricity-driven processes for metal recovery, direct lithium extraction, waste utilization, and co-production of critical materials from complex feedstocks.
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Thrust 2
Energy Storage and Batteries
Novel electrolytes for cheaper, safer, longer-lasting, more powerful batteries — for grid storage, transportation decarbonization, space exploration, and defense.
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Thrust 3
AI-Powered Data-Driven Design
Integrating AI/ML tools into our experimental workflow to accelerate discovery, design, and optimization of electrolyte materials for processing and energy storage.
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Recent publications
Selected work
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2025 · US Patent 12,237,091 (granted)
Continuous separation of radionuclides by shock electrodialysis
Kameron M. Conforti, Mohammad A. Alkhadra, **Tao Gao**, Huanhuan Tian, Martin Z. Bazant
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2025 · PCT Patent Application WO 2025/245086 A1 (pending)
Iron production by direct electrolysis of iron ore
**Tao Gao**, Jing Liu
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2025 · PCT Patent Application WO 2025/235655 A1 (pending)
Carboxylate ester-based electrolytes for sodium batteries
**Tao Gao**, Yunan Qin
Join the lab.
We're recruiting motivated PhD students, postdocs, and undergraduates to work on electrochemical materials, batteries, and sustainable processing.