UA Little Rock Student Receives SURF Grant for Battery Research Project
The Arkansas Division of Higher Education has awarded a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Grant to Price Sheets for an innovative research project aimed at improving battery performance.
Sheets, a sophomore finance major from Cabot, is focusing on enhancing polymer membrane separators in lithium-ion batteries to improve ion transport, thermal stability, and overall efficiency. Sheets will conduct this research under the mentorship of Dr. Noureen Siraj, associate professor of chemistry.
“I am so incredibly grateful and excited for this grant,” Sheets said. “I can’t wait to use the resources provided to me to continue my education and research.”
Polymer separators are essential components in lithium-ion batteries, as they ensure proper ion movement while keeping the cathode and anode apart. This research will explore coating these separators with titanium oxide nanoparticles to enhance chemical stability, thermal resistance, and electrolyte distribution.
“The energy crisis is one of the most prevalent issues today,” Sheets said. “By developing more energy-efficient storage devices, we can reduce battery waste and improve sustainability. The separator plays a key role in ensuring strong thermal stability and minimizing short-circuit risks.”
Siraj emphasized the growing importance of battery research, since portable energy sources are widely used in electronics, vehicles, and aerospace industries.
“Price is a very bright, dedicated, and knowledgeable student,” Siraj said. “He quickly grasped various techniques in my lab and generated preliminary results for the SURF proposal. This award will allow him to further develop membrane separators and test their performance in battery devices.”
This is Sheets’ first time participating in a research project of this magnitude, and he sees it as an opportunity to develop critical skills that will benefit his future career.
“I think this experience will help me build numerous practical skills as well as a strong knowledge base in energy and chemistry,” he said. “Research like this will be valuable no matter what path I take.”
Looking ahead, Sheets plans to continue his research and explore new applications for his findings. He also expressed gratitude to the Arkansas SURF Committee, Siraj, and his entire research group for their support and motivation.
This story was written by Rian Newman.