Kiran Bhaskar | Energy Storage | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Kiran Bhaskar | Energy Storage | Young Scientist Award

Control Engineer, Wabtec Corporation, United States 

Kiran Bhaskar is a dynamic researcher and engineer with a focus on energy storage and battery health monitoring systems. Currently a Controls Engineer at Wabtec Corporation in Erie, Pennsylvania, he is developing advanced State of Charge (SoC) and State of Health (SoH) estimation techniques for locomotive battery packs. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University with a remarkable GPA of 3.98/4, where he also earned his MS in the same field. Kiran holds a B.Tech (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and an M.Tech in Thermal Engineering. He has a strong background in battery modeling, fault diagnosis, and anomaly detection. Throughout his career, Kiran has applied his expertise in various industries, including energy systems, automotive, and logistics. He has won multiple awards for his research and is a leading expert in the field of battery health management. 🔋⚙️

Profile

Education

Kiran Bhaskar is currently pursuing his Ph.D. and MS in Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University (2019-2024), maintaining an impressive GPA of 3.98/4. Before this, he earned a B.Tech (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Operations Research from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras (2013-2018). At IIT Madras, Kiran also completed an M.Tech in Thermal Engineering with a GPA of 8.7/10. He further broadened his academic experience during a semester abroad at the Czech Technical University in Prague (2017), achieving a GPA of 9.56/10. Kiran’s academic journey has been distinguished by excellence in research and practical application, particularly in the areas of battery systems, thermal engineering, and energy management. He has demonstrated remarkable skills in both theoretical modeling and experimental validation across a range of advanced engineering topics. 🎓📚

Awards and Honors

Kiran Bhaskar has received numerous prestigious accolades throughout his academic and professional career. Most notably, he was awarded the Thomas and June Beaver Award (2024) for outstanding industrially-sponsored research at The Pennsylvania State University. He was recognized as an ASME Dynamic Systems and Control Division Rising Star at the 2023 Modeling, Estimation, and Control Conference. He has also been a finalist for multiple Energy Systems Best Paper Awards at the 2024 Modeling, Estimation, and Control Conference and the American Control Conference. Kiran’s poster presentations have earned him first runner-up honors at IndustryXchange 2022 and 2023 in the “Digital Connectivity” and “Technologies for the Built Environment” sessions. His academic performance was acknowledged with the Prime Minister’s Scholarship and securing a 99.86 percentile rank in the IIT-JEE Advanced Entrance Examination. His contributions to battery health and anomaly detection continue to be recognized in both industry and academia. 🏆📜

Research Focus

Kiran Bhaskar’s research focuses primarily on advanced energy systems, specifically lithium-ion battery health management, fault diagnosis, and optimization. His doctoral work has contributed significantly to the modeling of battery performance degradation, particularly the aging and heterogeneity-induced capacity loss in parallel-connected cells. Kiran has developed innovative techniques for detecting anomalies, including using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for fault detection and sensor signal reconstruction. His work also includes the development of state estimation methods for monitoring battery State of Charge (SoC), State of Health (SoH), and energy management in large battery packs. In addition, Kiran has made strides in post-damage short circuit detection and the development of model-based internal short circuit detection algorithms. His research bridges theoretical concepts with practical applications, enhancing energy efficiency and safety in battery-powered systems, including locomotives and electric vehicles. He continues to push the boundaries of control systems and battery diagnostics. 🔋🔧💡

Publications

  • Data-driven thermal anomaly detection in large battery packs – K. Bhaskar et al. (2023) 🛠️📊
  • State of Charge and State of Health estimation in large lithium-ion battery packs – K. Bhaskar et al. (2023) 🔋💡
  • Detecting synthetic anomalies using median-based residuals in lithium-ion cell groups – K. Bhaskar et al. (2022) 📉⚠️
  • Detection of engine knock using speed oscillations in a single-cylinder spark-ignition engine – K. Bhaskar et al. (2019) 🔧🚗
  • Heterogeneity-induced power and capacity loss in parallel-connected cells – K. Bhaskar et al. (2024) ⚡🔋
  • Short Circuit Estimation in Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Moving Horizon Estimation – J. Moon, K. Bhaskar et al. (2024) ⚡🔍
  • Post-Damage Short Circuit Detection in Lithium-ion Batteries – K. Bhaskar et al. (2024) ⚡🔎
  • Faulty sensor signal reconstruction in Li-ion battery packs – K. Bhaskar et al. (2024) 🛠️💻
  • Anomaly diagnosis and health monitoring of lithium-ion battery packs – K. Bhaskar (2024) 🧐

Kun Liu | Electrochemical energy storage materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kun Liu | Electrochemical energy storage materials | Best Researcher Award

Assistant research fellow at Sinopec Dalian Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, China

Kun Liu is a dedicated researcher in the field of electrochemical energy storage, currently affiliated with the Sinopec Dalian Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals. With a Ph.D. from Dalian Maritime University, he has made significant contributions to battery materials, particularly focusing on lithium/sodium-ion and solid-state batteries. His commitment to advancing sustainable green materials is evident in his extensive publication record. Beyond research, Liu actively engages in peer review for several esteemed journals, demonstrating his dedication to maintaining high standards in scientific publishing. His work has garnered recognition, leading to a provisional selection for the “Best Researcher Award,” highlighting his influence in the field. Liu aims to continue contributing to innovative solutions in energy storage technology.

Profile:

Scopus.com

Education:

Kun Liu completed his Ph.D. at Dalian Maritime University, where he specialized in electrochemical energy storage technologies. His academic journey has been marked by a deep commitment to understanding and developing advanced battery materials. Throughout his doctoral studies, Liu focused on the synthesis and performance evaluation of various anode materials, particularly in the context of lithium and sodium-ion batteries. His educational background has equipped him with a robust foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of electrochemistry. This academic training has been pivotal in shaping his research trajectory, allowing him to contribute effectively to the development of sustainable energy solutions. Liu’s commitment to continuous learning is reflected in his participation in numerous workshops and conferences, where he engages with leading experts and stays updated on the latest advancements in the field.

Experience:

Kun Liu has accumulated substantial experience in electrochemical energy storage through his role at the Sinopec Dalian Research Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals. His research focuses on developing innovative materials for lithium and sodium-ion batteries, with a particular emphasis on enhancing their performance and sustainability. Liu has authored and co-authored numerous publications, showcasing his expertise in material synthesis and characterization. In addition to his research duties, he actively contributes to the academic community by reviewing manuscripts for reputable journals, such as Electrochimica Acta and Applied Surface Science. This role reflects his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and ensuring the quality of published research. Liu’s collaborative spirit and ability to work with multidisciplinary teams further enhance his effectiveness as a researcher, positioning him as a leading figure in the field of electrochemical energy storage materials.

Researcher Skills:

Kun Liu’s research is centered on the development and optimization of electrochemical energy storage materials, particularly lithium/sodium-ion and solid-state batteries. His recent work focuses on innovative synthesis methods for tin-based anode materials, aiming to enhance their lithium storage performance. By employing controllable synthesis strategies, Liu seeks to improve the efficiency and sustainability of battery technologies. His research addresses critical challenges in energy storage, such as dendrite formation and the overall lifecycle of battery materials. Additionally, Liu explores the integration of novel materials, like nitrogen-doped carbon spheres and heterostructure composites, to boost battery performance. His commitment to sustainability is evident in his focus on green materials, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of battery production and use. Overall, Liu’s work contributes significantly to advancing the field of electrochemical energy storage, with the potential to influence future developments in sustainable energy technologies.

Publication Top Notes:

  • A simple strategy for the controllable synthesis of tin-based anode materials and their lithium storage performances 📄
  • MoS2/SnS heterostructure composite for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes ⚡
  • Spontaneous template approach towards nitrogenous multi-shelled hollow carbon spheres with unique onion-like architecture 🌱
  • Porous graphitic carbon nitride improved Li4Ti5O12 anode material for lithium storage capacity 🪨
  • An effective strategy for dendrite-free Li metal anodes: Nickel foam decorated with high lattice-matching CoN and CoF2 nanosheets for dense deposition 🔋
  • Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 composite to enhance lithium storage properties 🌌
  • Three birds with one arrow: Multifunctional single-atom catalysts enable efficient lithium-sulfur batteries 🦅
  • A dual-template synergistic assembly strategy towards the synthesis of extra-small nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon nanospheres with large pores ⚙️
  • Hard template synthesis of Zn, Co co-doping hierarchical porous carbon framework for stable Li metal anodes 🏗️
  • Lithiophilic Sn layer via pre-electroplating to realize the uniform stripping/plating for dendrite-free Li metal anodes ✨.

Conclusion:

Kun Liu stands out as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his innovative contributions to electrochemical energy storage, a solid academic foundation, and active engagement in peer review. While there are areas for improvement, such as increasing citation impact and broadening research applications, his dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration marks him as a promising researcher. Recognizing his work through this award would not only honor his achievements but also inspire further innovations in the field of energy storage.