“What we know matters but who we are matters more.”
— Brené Brown
Modeling and in-silico simulation of Li-ion energy storage systems
I am a third-year Chemistry PhD candidate at Stanford University working on modeling Li-ion batteries/energy storage solutions, particularly in the context of automotive applications.
To study this system, I prefer to take a model-based approach. I use various tools and computer algorithms to simulate the dynamics of the these energy storage systems. I work to calibrate the models to be reflective of the performance of real batteries by using experimental data. Using these calibrated models, I study different aspects of modern commercialized batteries (e.g. chemistry, aging, hysteresis) that are being used to drive the electrification transition globally.
I grew up in the suburbs of Metro Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. I discovered that Physics was pretty interesting towards the end of high school and wanted to major in it for university but I was encouraged to pursue medicine by my parents. As a compromise, I chose to do my Bachelor’s degree in Biological Physics from Simon Fraser University (SFU).
During the course of my undergraduate career, I got involved in scientific research, initially with the Sivak Group at SFU Physics, and discovered that I really liked it! So I left the pre-medicine path and decided to focus instead on getting as much research experience as possible. I obtained multiple NSERC USRA awards that have allowed me to try my hand at various research topics and work with various researchers in both Bioinformatics and Medical Physics.
After undergrad, I stayed at SFU to do a Masters in Physics. I worked on investigating the performance limits of a simple “information engine”, an engine which extracts work from fluctuations in the surrounding environment.
Read more about the projects that I’ve been involved in here.
In my spare time (at least when I have it), you’ll normally find me either:
Playing Music:
Piano: I finished Grade 8 of RCM and I play weekly at church. Personally, I prefer Jazz to Classical (#LingLingInsurance), but I’m better at Classical than I am at Jazz.
Guitar: Only just started but working at it when I can!
Reading:
Fantasy: As a physicist, I’m used to working with trying to determine the rigid rules of the universe. Fantasy, as a genre, allows a nice break from this pursuit to open the mind to other possibilities. My favorite series of all time (in no particular order) are “A Song of Ice and Fire”, “The Name of the Wind”, and “The Night Angel Trilogy”.
Philosophy of Science & Ethics: With the advent of recent technologies, many questions arise regarding the ethics surrounding the utilization of these technologies. Also with the seemingly lack of demonstrable progress in the fields of Quantum Foundations, and Beyond Standard Model Physics, interesting questions have arisen as to what constitutes the Scientific Method. While I am not an active participant, I nevertheless follow progress in these discussions fairly closely.
Philosophy of Religion & Theology: Religion is interesting to me because it arguably addresses a different aspect of human understanding and uses a starkly different methodology to Science. As such, I think it provides, if not an answer, then at least a useful perspective on some of the Universe’s most profound questions.
