Energy Storage Materials Engineering Lab
Research
Efficient energy storage and conversion technologies are essential to realize a sustainable society. From the viewpoint of materials science, our laboratory is conducting research and development of innovative rechargeable batteries and highly efficient electrochemical processes. Our goal is to contribute to the realization of a truly affluent society and to knowledge by exploring the essence behind phenomena.
Publications
Our laboratory was established at Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo in April 2016. The achievements of our research are published in the form of academic papers, books, and patents etc.
People
We continue to take on challenges as a team with the strengths of each member. We look forward to the day when we can research and grow with you.
News
Prof. Yagi received the 2025 Reviewer Certificates from Wiley.
This refers to Professor Yagi’s peer review of two papers in Advanced Materials, 12 in Advanced Functional Materials, one in Advanced Energy Materials, and two in ChemPhysChem in 2025.
A Short Communication by Research Associate Jittraporn Saengkaew et al., entitled “Optimizing electrode porosity for enhanced electrochemical performance of α-Kx MnO2 composite positive electrode in rechargeable magnesium pouch cells” has been accepted for publication in Materials Today Communications.
This study investigated the effects of roll-pressing on the structure and electrochemical performance of α-KxMnO2 composite positive electrodes in rechargeable magnesium pouch cells. Moderate densification improved the initial discharge capacity, whereas excessive compaction increased polarization and reduced capacity. The findings highlight the importance of balancing particle contact and ionic transport pathways, providing key insights into composite electrode design for rechargeable magnesium batteries.
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A scientific paper on CO2 electroreduction by our Ph.D. student Jiaying Yan et al. has been accepted for publication in Materials Reports: Energy.
We have developed a binder-free Bi/Zn electrode for the electrolytic reduction of CO2 to formate using a galvanic displacement reaction. We demonstrated that the formation of Bi(III) complexes with citrate ions promotes the formation of plate-like Bi domains with high 012 orientation. This study provides new insights into the role of additives in electrode fabrication and proposes design guidelines for efficient binder-free electrodes.
A review article by Panagiotis Herodotou, a ph. D. student who spent two months interning at the Yagi Laboratory from University of Cyprus, and colleagues regarding the prospects for implementing systems incorporating Mg rechargeable batteries has been accepted for publication in Electrochimica Acta.
A special feature article titled “Suppression of Electrolyte Decomposition in Magnesium Rechargeable Batteries by Controlling the Catalytic Activity of Positive Electrode Active Materials” has been published in Ceramics Journal (the Ceramic Society of Japan ).
This study clarifies that Fe ions in spinel-type oxides effectively suppress the oxidative decomposition of electrolytes and elucidates the mechanism behind this effect. The first-principles calculations essential to this research were performed by groups led by Professor Masanobu Nakayama of Nagoya Institute of Technology and Professor Yoshitaka Tateyama of Institute of Science Tokyo.
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