Misture’s group studies ceramics with electrical and electrochemical function

Characterization is the centerpiece of our work (high temperature and in-situ)

We do extensive work with industry

Applications of interest include charge storage (batteries and pseudocapacitors), photocatalysts, high temperature oxygen and fuel catalysts, and ionic/mixed conductors – including those with hierarchical porosity.
With a focus on materials characterization, Misture’s group seeks to unravel the complex interplay of bulk properties (as in the bulk of a grain in a polycrystalline body), grain boundary effects, and the key roles of disorder and defects. Indeed, correlated disorder is of key interest in describing complex properties.

We rely on in-situ and in-operando studies to a large extent. That means we measure responses of materials under operating or non-ambient conditions, including at high temperature and under controlled gasses, with applied electric field or light irradiation, or even in electrochemical cells. We apply X-Ray diffraction, Raman and IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, primarily.
In addition, we often seek improved understanding of materials via the use of synchrotron and/or neutron sources. Misture’s group travels to the various federally-funded user facilities to perform these advanced characterization measurements.

Misture’s group runs many of the high temperature materials characterization and properties measurements labs, which can also be used in many cases to rapidly and efficiently solve industrial problems. We’re happy to work with industry on both short- and long-term projects.