The efficiency of flow batteries for electrical energy storage at grid scale are severely limited by the rheology, energy density, and stability of the working fluids. These fluids have requirements that are in conflict and require performance trade-offs that severely compromise the overall efficiency and lifecycle of flow battery technology. We are working to develop strategies to improve on those performance trade offs. We are using rheology, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and their combination, Rheo-SANS, along with other tools such as dielectric spectroscopy and conductivity to understand how different strategies affect the flow, interactions, conductivity, and microstructure of these fluids in order to understand how we can use nanoscale engineering of the suspensions to lower viscosity, increase conductivity, and increase storage capacity for flow battery technology.