Advancements in lithium-ion batteries will pave the way to a more energy-efficient society
“I've always called this era the renaissance of energy innovation,” says Manh-Kien Tran, a Chemical Engineering PhD student. His research centers on an innovative field: cloud-based battery management, with a focus on lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are extremely prevalent, found in everything from household electronics to electric cars. Explaining how batteries store energy, Tran says, “I think of them as a new type of fuel tank.”
Manh-Kien Tran (BASc ’18, MASc ’20)
PhD student, Faculty of Engineering
> Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship recipient
To ensure the battery technology functions properly, batteries in most devices are connected to what’s known as a battery management system (BMS). “The BMS is technically the brain of the battery,” Tran says. It controls and optimizes the way the battery charges and discharges, and ensures system safety during operation.
Although they’re an important step in battery innovation, today’s battery management systems aren’t perfect. They require frequent calibration and cannot store a large amount of battery data. “That’s where the cloud comes in,” Tran says. “Using cloud platform for battery management will allow us to have a one-size-fits-all BMS with better battery algorithms.” The BMS’s universality is an important innovation, and cloud technology will allow us to store seemingly endless amounts of battery data.
From undergrad student to Vanier Scholar
Tran first began his journey at the University of Waterloo as an undergraduate student in 2013. Today, he is a PhD student and Vanier scholar. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is one of the nation’s most prestigious doctoral scholarships, recognizing leadership and scholarly achievement in the natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, and health-related fields.
Tran believes that from the beginning of his time at Waterloo as an undergrad, he was primed for success. “One of the biggest reasons I chose Waterloo for my undergrad studies was because of the co-op program. And I never regretted it. I think that's probably one of the best decisions I made.”
During those early years in co-op, Tran learned about the importance of collaboration and honed his ability to work both as an individual, and a part of a team. He chose to stay at Waterloo for his doctorate because of its “world-class research facilities, knowledgeable and reputable advisors, and amazing community.” As a graduate student today, his instructors include Dr. Michael Fowler, Canada Research Chair in Zero-Emission Vehicles and Hydrogen Energy Systems.
“I'm familiar with the city. I'm familiar with the environment. I have a community and access to research, top-notch facilities and top-notch supervisors. You can't go wrong.”
As a recipient of a Vanier scholarship, Tran is motivated to reach his full potential and contribute to this important research field.
A critical advancement for an energy-efficient future
Still, Tran understands why people might not have battery evolution on their radar. “They’re not a new solution. They’re already here.” And yet batteries give Tran and his fellow researchers hope. “They’re going to be more common and more usable.” And as a result, “we're going to have cleaner, cheaper energy.”
For example, a reliable BMS is a critical component in electric vehicles. There, Tran explains, “it's communicating with the motor, it's communicating with the driver, and the brain of the car as well.”
Looking ahead at the impact of electric vehicles on our future, Tran cites countries such as Norway where, as of September of this year, nine of 10 cars sold were either electric or rechargeable hybrid models. Canada and other nations have realized the critical role vehicles play in conquering climate change. On June 29, 2021, the Canadian government announced a zero-emissions target of 2035 for all new cars and passenger trucks. In pursuit of this goal, the automotive industry will be revolutionized. Battery-related advancements will be more important than ever before.
Tran is optimistic about the future and believes advancements in energy storage systems will pave the way to a cleaner, more energy-efficient society. He welcomes innovation both in and outside his specialty. “I think the future overall involves having cleaner solutions.” It’s a future that he wholeheartedly embraces.