The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $277,556 Project Grant under its Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CFDA 47.049) program to researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Texas A&M University. This 3-year collaborative research project aims to design and synthesize hybrid anode materials composed of carbon nanotubes chemically bonded to copper. The goal is to develop more efficient and robust pathways for electron transport, which could lead to improvements in lithium-ion battery performance and enable new applications in areas like sensors, catalysts, and biodevices. The project combines computational modeling with materials chemistry experiments to develop and characterize these nanoscale hybrid materials. No subawards are planned under this grant. The research supports efforts to train the next generation of scientists and engineers, with a focus on increasing diversity in STEM fields.