Chunmei Ban

Dr. Chunmei Ban is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on interfacial science and engineering for energy storage materials, particularly in lithium-ion and multivalent-ion batteries. She leads efforts to design materials for solid-state electrolytes, silicon anodes, and magnesium-based systems. Dr. Ban’s work emphasizes structural hierarchies and interface manipulation to enhance energy density and longevity. She holds laboratory space in ECES 127 and has authored numerous high-impact publications.

Her professional roles include Editorial Board membership for Institute of Energy Technology and Sustainable Energy & Fuels, and she co-chaired the Beyond Li-ion Conference in 2018 and 2013. Notable awards include the 2018 President’s Award (NREL) for operando X-ray spectroscopy research and multiple technology transfer accolades.

Research interests span next-gen electrochemical materials, with societal focus on renewable energy integration and electric vehicle batteries. Key technical areas include solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) engineering, silicon anode stabilization, and novel multivalent ion battery architectures. Her lab employs advanced in situ characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction tomography and photoelectron spectroscopy.

Dr. Ban’s recent work addresses lithium metal penetration in solid electrolytes, magnesium electrochemistry, and scalable synthesis of garnet-type electrolytes. She collaborates on innovations like cold plasma electrode manufacturing and polymer-capped electrolyte interfaces to improve safety and performance.