Arumugam Manthiram

George T. and Gladys H. Abell Endowed Chair of Engineering
Professor, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering

Our research is focused on the design and development of sustainable, low-cost, durable materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage to address the global energy and environmental challenges.

A History of Excellence

• Manthiram’s work in the 1980s showed a path forward to employ the earth-abundant, inexpensive iron in lithium-ion batteries, which opened up the broad field of polyanion oxide cathodes for batteries. For example, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode employed in commercial lithium-ion batteries and sodium vanadium phosphate employed in sodium-ion batteries came out of his original polyanion oxide concept. Polyanion oxide cathodes offer better safety, long cycle life, and lower cost, enabling sustainability and constituting currently one-third of the lithium-ion battery market. See Nature Communications 2020, 11, 1550 for more.

• Manthiram group has developed cobalt-free layered oxide cathodes for lithium-ion batteries, relieving expensive cobalt and supply chain challenges. See Advanced Materials 2020, 2002718.

• Manthiram group is advancing the viability of lithium-sulfur and sodium-sulfur batteries by employing practically necessary cell-assembly parameters with innovations in electrodes and electrolyte. See Joule 2020, 4, 1121.

• Manthiram delivered the 2019 Chemistry Nobel Prize Lecture on behalf of Professor John B. Goodenough. View the Youtube video: https://youtu.be/Xlm-C-qr63Y.