Batteries will play a significant role in reaching the global target of carbon neutrality by 2050. Although Li-ion batteries will still be necessary for certain applications, the future energy landscape requires greater diversification of storage chemistries that can deliver higher energy, longer lifetimes, faster charging, and greater safety in an economical and sustainable manner. Our research will broadly focus on new battery chemistries that have promise to improve upon the energy density of Li-ion batteries. Among the many alternatives being explored, aqueous rechargeable batteries possess very high theoretical energy densities, but suffer from poor rechargeability and Coulombic efficiency. Our laboratory’s specific focus will be to assess, and then address, the shortcomings of such batteries through a systematic approach involving the effect of various polymer properties, both chemical and physical, on the ion transport properties in terms of diffusivity and solubility, thereby allowing us to optimize membrane properties to impart low impedance and enhanced rechargeable battery performance This work includes both experimental development and characterization of polymeric ion exchange membrane to understand the physical phenomena underpinning their performance.