Improving the Energy Density and Thermal Resistance of Dielectric Polymers via Zwitterionic Polyimides

Bio
Amy Honnig Bassett completed her doctoral studies at Rowan University (Ph.D. 2024 in Chemical Engineering) and Drexel University under Professor Giuseppe R. Palmese. She developed fire-resistant epoxy thermosets for use in fiber-reinforced polymer composites by investigating the role of furan moieties on thermal decomposition and char formation. As a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Amy utilizes molecular design to develop polymers for energy storage applications in collaboration with Professors Emily C. Davidson and Rodney D. Priestley. This research focuses on enhancing the thermal stability and energy density of the polymers, ultimately advancing the accessibility of renewable energy and the electrification of transportation.

Abstract
Advances in electrifying transportation necessitate improving dielectric capacitors. Conventional dielectric capacitors suffer from two major challenges: (1) low energy density (Ue) and (2) low operating temperatures (< 105 °C for industry standard biaxially orientated polypropylene, BOPP). Increasing Ue is necessary to enhance energy utilization efficiency and reduce device volume. Integration of current capacitors often places them in extreme environments. For instance, in electric vehicles and aircraft, capacitors are often placed in engine compartments where temperatures range from 150 to 300 °C, beyond the safe limits of conventional dielectric polymers. These limitations stem from the polymer’s properties, with Ue proportional to the dielectric permittivity (ε) and operating temperature dictated by the glass transition temperature (Tg). Moreover, conduction losses increase with temperature, further limiting their range. My work combines molecular design and materials engineering to address these challenges by developing zwitterionic polyimides. Zwitterions covalently bind a cation and an anion, resulting in a high ε while maintaining low conduction losses. I combine the benefits of zwitterions (high ε) with those of polyimides (high Tg) to simultaneously improve the Ue and operating temperature. This research offers insights into how molecular modifications enhance the dielectric performance of polymers, thereby advancing transportation electrification.

Membranes for resilient water and energy supplies

Bio
Monong Wang is a postdoctoral research associate in Dr. Ryan Kingsbury’s group at Princeton University, in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). She is also affiliated with the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. She earned her Ph.D. (2023) and M.S. (2018) in CEE from University of California, Berkeley with Dr. Baoxia Mi, and her B.S. (2017) from the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology in Israel. Monong’s primary research focuses on developing membranes with various functionalities, such as chemical and biological properties, for water purification and resource recovery.

Abstract
Our demand for clean water and energy has nearly doubled over the past 50 years, as more of the global population undergoes industrialization. Currently and traditionally, we have relied almost entirely on freshwater and fossil fuels, which account for 99% of our total water supply and 82% of our energy supply. However, the availability of these resources is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to factors such as extreme climate events and overextraction. Establishing alternative resources is therefore essential for building a resilient society. In my talk, I will present my research on designing nanomaterial-based membranes for treating alternative water sources. I will discuss how fundamental studies on intermolecular interactions and transport theory can inform material and membrane design for optimized performance. Finally, I will demonstrate the potential of functional membranes, such as those with chemical and biological properties, to recover energy-related mineral resources for decentralized energy storage and generation.