We research and develop higher-performance and lower-cost materials and devices for energy generation, storage and conversion. Our target industries are electric vehicles, microgrids, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, wearable power devices, and more.

UC San Diego's world-renowned microgrid serves as a real-world test-bed for our work, which is rooted in thoughtful analyses of the economics of distributed energy.

At every point along the way, we train and mentor our students to become tomorrow’s workforce for green and advanced energy.

SPEC News from the Jacobs School

Spent EV Batteries Get Second Life as Higher-Performance Battery Material

July 1, 2026

Engineers have developed an environmentally-friendly method to upcycle material from spent batteries into higher-performing parts. Their method transforms the cathode from LFP batteries — used in EVs and energy grids — into one that stores more energy. It worked on various types of LFP batteries from different manufacturers. Full Story

Three UC San Diego Professors Inducted Into the National Academy of Inventors for 2025

December 11, 2025

Three professors at the University of California San Diego have been elected to the 2025 Class of Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI): Ping Liu, Bernhard Palsson and Alan Saltiel. They are recognized for their innovations in sustainable manufacturing, batteries and metabolic research. Full Story

News Archive

Real-world challenges inform our fundamental research. The Sustainable Power and Energy Center works closely with industry partners.
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UC San Diego's world-renowned microgrid serves as a real-world test-bed for our work, which is rooted in thoughtful analyses of the economics of distributed energy.