Research

1. Inelastic effects in solids with a large concentration of the point defects. Fact: Cerium oxide-based ion conductors exhibit strong inelastic effects due to the off-center shift of the Ce⁴⁺ ions in the cubic oxygen environment away from oxygen vacancies (V_O). Goal: Understanding, development and manipulating the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of inelastic ceramic materials.
2. Understanding the influence of charge surfaces on nucleation and crystallization of polar crystals. Fact: Surface of the same material can be charged differently. Interfacial charge plays a crucial role on physical & chemical processes. Goal: Gain control over kinetics, polymorphism and orientation of crystals growing on charged dielectric surfaces. Examples: freezing of supercooled water, control of polar/non-polar polymorphs of organic crystals, separation of enantiomorphs.
3. Self-organization of nano-crystalline grains in self-supported ferroelectric films. Fact: nano-crystalline grains form regions, in which their spontaneous polarization is aligned in one direction. These regions are called polycrystalline macro-domains. Goal: Control the macro-domain structure and hierarchy as a function of mechanical constraints.
4. High efficiency conversion of CO₂ to CO by electrolysis of molten Li₂CO₃ for energy storage. Fact: We developed an electrochemical reaction converting CO₂ to CO with the thermodynamic efficiency exceeding 85%. The reaction takes place in molten Li₂CO₃ at 900 °C. Goal: Develop a viable technology of energy storage based on the developed electrochemical reaction.