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Welcome to the MRMES Lab website

Our research group aims to apply advanced solid-state NMR techniques, in combination with electrochemical characterisation, to the study of materials of interest as chemical power sources. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM-FC) and secondary lithium ion batteries provide environmentally friendly energy alternatives. As yet under-exploited is the unique advantage of solid-state NMR for investigating the protons in PEM-FCs, and the lithium ions in Li-ion rechargeable batteries, which can be thought of as the “work horses” of these two systems. Solid-state NMR is well known for its ability to provide site-specific information on structure and dynamics. Processes and interactions such as hydrogen-bonding, ionic conductivity, and polymer chain ordering or mobility can be effectively probed. In recent years, the field of solid-state NMR has experienced rapid technological and methodological growth, allowing a broader range of materials questions to be addressed.

Our research extends the use of these powerful new methods to innovative, electrochemically-relevant materials in which structure-property relationships will be determined. As compared to solution-state NMR, where fast isotropic tumbling causes dipolar, quadrupolar, and chemical shielding anisotropies to be averaged, these interactions are retained in the solid state, and thus provide a rich source of information. Advanced solid-state NMR methods, including high-resolution ¹H NMR achieved at high speed Magic Angle Spinning (>30kHz), 2D homonuclear double quantum NMR, heteronuclear multiple quantum NMR, and 2D exchange are used to characterize both structure and dynamics.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion laboratory

The Magnetic Resonance & Material for Energy Storage Lab (or the Goward Group) acknowledges the value of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles within our lab. Our diverse group of undergraduate students; graduate students; postdoctoral researchers; and administrative and technical staff welcome the opportunity to work with and foster an environment that supports all members including those traditionally underrepresented in the field of chemistry. This includes but is not limited to Women, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit, Intersex, Asexual, + (LGBTQ2SIA+), Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC), as well as those with visible or unseen disabilities, chronic illness, mental illness, and neurodivergence. In harmony with the McMaster University Equity and Inclusion Office’s “Guiding Principles for Best Practice”, Our lab continually works to build an inclusive atmosphere in which individuals are respected, feel supported, and treated fairly and equitably. We also acknowledge climate change’s disproportionate impact on under-represented groups and through our research and diverse membership aim towards a sustainable energy future with climate justice for all.