Physics Colloquia: Controlling Ion Mobility in Solid

The migration of ions through solids is necessary for the functioning of existing energy conversion devices such as solid oxide fuel cells. These processes are also critical to realizing emerging technologies such as solid-state batteries. Enhancing ion transport in the solid state requires that we understand the mechanisms that control it. Using atomic scale simulations, this presentation will discuss mechanisms of ionic mobility in emerging solid electrolytes – anti-perovskites and glasses – and in model systems (sulfates) that exhibit unusual trends in their ionic conductivity as a function of temperature. We explore whether machine learning can provide new insights into the factors that control ion mobility and discuss the role of anion dynamics in enhancing cation transport.