Efficient energy storage technologies that utilize sustainable resources will enable the development and implementation of new modes of transportation, such as electric vehicles, and renewable electricity generation, such as wind turbines, and photovoltaics, to name a few. Electric vehicles require mobile energy sources while intermittent renewable energy technologies require stationary energy storage. Currently, electric vehicle technology is confined by the ubiquitous Li-ion intercalation type chemistries that dominate the rechargeable battery market. These chemistries, while extremely efficient, suffer from low gravimetric capacities due to the high percentage of spectator atoms, atoms not able to store charge, that make up many of the cathode materials. While battery weight is not as much of a consideration for the stationary energy storage required for intermittent renewable energy, for example, the cost and sustainability of the materials used in intercalation systems is of great consideration. In this regard, intercalation systems again fall short of these ideal requirements. Expensive and relatively rare elements, such as Co, are commonly used in intercalation cathodes preventing widespread application.

The work in this thesis describes the development of next generation energy storage devices that utilize abundant and sustainable resources. We develop known and discover new redox chemistries that go beyond Li-ion technology. Careful evaluation of the underlying chemistries allows detailed insights into redox mechanisms and provides functional handles to control device performance. In Chapters 2-4, the reversible redox chemistry of S, a very abundant and geographically disperse resource, as a cathode will be discussed. A new understanding of the chemistry occurring during the discharge of the Li-S system will be detailed in Chapters 2 and 3 and the development of a new S-based electrochemical system, the Ca-S system, will be described in Chapter 4. This system uniquely utilizes a Ca metal anode, which is a much more abundant and easily attainable resource than Li. In Chapter 5, alternative Ca sources to Ca metal anodes will be discussed. Chapter 6 details technical challenges when approaching alternative anode research, for example the materials discussed in Chapter 5. Finally, in Chapter 7 the redox chemistry of materials derived from renewable organic resources is detailed namely organic networks with N heteroatoms.