University Letter

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Nuri Oncel and colleagues receive applied research grant

Nuri Oncel, associate professor in the Department of Physics & Astrophysics, was awarded research funding through the UND College of Arts & Sciences Applied Research to Address the State’s Critical Needs Initiative for calendar year 2021.

Oncel’s proposal, “Transition Metal Chalcogenides for Li-ion Batteries” is a collaborative research effort including Deniz Cakir, assistant professor in physics & astrophysics, and Xiaodong Hou, research assistant professor with UND’s Institute of Energy Studies in the College of Engineering & Mines.

Transition Metal Chalcogenides for Li-ion Batteries Abstract:

The economy of North Dakota relies on two commodities: oil and soil. Our proposed project has the potential to diversify the state economy by investigating transitional metal chalcogenides that have various technical applications including but not limited to energy security and environmental sustainability. An important component of this project is about efficiently producing and employing information (big data) produced by ab-initio computer simulations to find promising candidate materials.

The Applied Research to Address the State’s Critical Needs Initiative is a one-year research funding opportunity to support scholarship projects within the UND College of Arts & Sciences. In accordance with the College’s strategic plan, the proposed research should anticipate, identify, or respond to the critical needs of the State of North Dakota. Proposals that align with the grand challenges as identified in the University’s strategic plan are encouraged and given preference in funding decisions. Collaborative efforts between faculty working across disciplines and leveraging the proposed work with other sources of funding is encouraged.

The UND College of Arts & Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates in a variety of traditional and emerging disciplines in the fine arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Students are challenged to work alongside faculty and with the community to explore and expand the boundaries of knowledge and their own creativity. The research, scholarship, and creative activities of the nationally and internationally recognized faculty enhance teaching and learning as well as contribute to the state of North Dakota, the country, and the world.