Member Profiles
Graduate Students
Anu Adamson
Hometown: Tartu, Estonia
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: September 2021
I graduated with a BSc and MSc from the University of Tartu with my research focusing on sodium-ion batteries, more specifically on hard carbon anodes and layered oxide cathodes. I am very excited to be working in the Jeff Dahn Research Group to contribute to solving real-life issues involving lithium-ion batteries, my current research being focused on positive electrode materials. When I am not working or studying, I enjoy playing the piano, reading literature from different corners of the world, and discovering new cuisines and places!
Anu's Research
Cathode materials research
Contact
anu.adamson@dal.ca
Connor Aiken
Hometown: Bedford, Nova Scotia
Program: Ph.D. in Physics
Joined: September 2017
I completed my BSc in Physics at Dalhousie University and my MSc in Physics at McGill University under the supervision of Prof. Peter Grutter. Between these two degrees I worked at 3M Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota working on the commercialization of Si-alloy anodes for Li-ion batteries. My PhD research is focused on studying failure mechanisms in Li-ion cells subjected to high rate cycling. In my spare time I enjoy playing basketball and cycling.
Connor's Research
Instrumentation development, failure mechanisms
Contact
connor.aiken@dal.ca
Ethan Alter
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Program: M.Sc. in Chemistry
Joined: September 2021
I received my BASc in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo in 2019, during which I completed a number of battery-related internships. These include lithium-ion degradation research at Tesla, research on lithium-sulfur materials in Singapore, and commercial fast charging protocol development at an EV startup in California. Before joining the Dahn Group, I worked at a niobium-anode startup in the UK and started writing for a battery industry newsletter called Intercalation Station. My current research focusses on the study of electrolyte degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. In my spare time I like to watch extremely detailed YouTube videos about theme park rides.
Ethan's Research
High voltage performance of Li-ion cells
Contact
ethan.alter@dal.ca
Saad Azam
Hometown: Mandeville, Louisiana
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: September 2020
I received my B.Sc in Biology, and Chemistry from University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Valedictorian for the Class of 2015). During my undergraduate, I completed multiple co-ops (3) at NASA-JPL where I worked on fuel-cells and metal-hydride-air batteries (Dr. Ratnakumar Bugga). Upon graduation, I was hired by California Institute of Technology (Caltech) to work on 3-D architect Li-ion batteries (Dr. Neil Fromer). After a short stint at Caltech, I transitioned to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. as a Research Associate where I spent 3 years studying the safety of commercial lithium-ion batteries under various abuse conditions (Dr. Judy Jeevarajan). My current research in Dahn Lab is focused on developing novel electrolytes for high-voltage systems and to study electrolyte degradation pathways
Saad's research
High voltage electrolyte
Contact
saad.azam@dal.ca
Mitch Ball
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Program: M.Sc. in Chemistry
Joined: May 2021
I recently graduated from the University of Waterloo with a BASc in Nanotechnology Engineering. As part of my degree, I took a couple of internships at Sila Nanotechnologies with a focus on incorporating silicon material into anodes. I’m quite excited to work in the Jeff Dahn Research Group and expand my knowledge beyond silicon anodes and contribute to the solution to climate change. When I’m out of the lab I like camping, playing guitar, watching indie films, and learning about history and geopolitics.
Mitch's research
Ni-rich positive electrode materials
Contact
MBall@dal.ca
Tom Bötticher
Hometown: Münster, Germany
Program: Chemistry M. Sc.
Joined: June 2022
I completed my B. Sc. (2020) in Chemistry at the University of Kiel and am now a M. Sc. Chemistry student at the University of Muenster (WWU). During my studies, I took different battery and electrochemistry courses and worked at Volkswagen's Battery R&D Department on the thermal analysis of battery cell components. My research as a visiting student in the Dahn Lab focuses on improving the understanding of electrolytes and the self-discharge of LFP cells. My overall goal is to help make the world more sustainable. I believe that batteries will play a big role in the ongoing shift to renewables, which is necessary to fight climate change. In my spare time I work as a science communicator, graphic designer, and video editor. I create and host content on different science related social media channels.
Tom's research
Electrolyte development and LFP degradation analysis
Contact
tom.boetticher@dal.ca
Marc Cormier
Hometown: Cap-pele, New Brunswick
Program: PhD Physics
Joined: September 2017
I received my BSc in physics and mathematics from Dalhousie and am now a PhD student. Within my research I make use of first-principles computational methods to determine structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of electrolytes and positive electrode materials for Li-ion cells. My time away from my computer is spent practicing yoga, golfing, climbing, surfing, and cycling.
Contact
marc.cormier@dal.ca
Jay Deshmukh
Hometown: Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Program: M.A.Sc. Chemical Engineering
Joined: September 2021
I completed my B.Eng. chemical engineering at Dalhousie University (2021), during which I did co-op terms and research projects on silicon nanowires arrays for PV at Dr. Michael Freund group, CCUS at CarbonCure Technologies, and Co-Fe temperature-sensitive nanoparticles at Dr. Martin Mkandawire group. My current research focuses on developing “Desalination Batteries” – novel intercalation mechanism-based energy-efficient devices for water desalination. My goal is to help accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future.
When not working or brainstorming start-up ideas, I enjoy football (soccer), running, cycling, inline-speed-skating, walking outdoors, guitar, exchanging ideas or reading about history, geopolitics, energy, tech, etc
Contact
jay.deshmukh@dal.ca
Reid Dressler
Hometown: Shields, Saskatchewan
Program: PhD Physics
Joined: September 2021
I received my B.Eng. in Engineering Physics from the University of Saskatchewan in 2018. I have experience in research with superconducting materials and organic solar cells and spent time working on remote sensing devices tracking water levels in the snow pack during my undergraduate studies. In my free time, I enjoy staying active with sports such as basketball and watching movies.
Contact
reid.dressler@dal.ca
Animesh Dutta
Hometown: Haldia, India
Program: PhD in Materials Engineering
Joined: September 2020
I completed my bachelor’s from IIEST Shibpur, India (2015) and master’s from IIT Kanpur, India (2018) in Materials Engineering. In between, I worked for one year in Tata Consulting Engineers Limited as a Consulting Engineer for an integrated steel plant. Before starting my PhD I worked as a research assistant at IIT Bombay, India under the supervision of Prof. Amartya Mukhopadhyay in the area of alkali metal ion batteries, especially cathode material for Na-ion batteries. I am excited to start my research in the area of Li-ion battery in such a great group and hopefully contribute something fruitful to make batteries better.
Contact:
an345084@dal.ca
Ahmed Eldesoky
Hometown: Fredericton, NB
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: September 2019
I completed my B.Sc. with Honours in Chemistry at the University of New Brunswick (Yonghao Ni group, 2019). I first joined the Dahn lab as an NSERC USRA student in 2017 where I got to work on electrolyte co-solvents. During my B.Sc., I worked with Tesla in California on active materials development for Li-ion batteries, then with BMW and Prof. Hubert Gasteiger at TUM in Munich on SEI decomposition. My current research in the Dahn lab focuses on anode-free lithium-metal cells. In my spare time I like to travel, hike, go to the beach or eat something new!
Contact:
aeldesoky@dal.ca
Matthew Garayt
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Program: MSc in Physics
Joined: September 2021
I graduated in 2019 with a BSc in Applied Physics from Simon Fraser University in BC during which I did an 8-month co-op term at E-One Moli Energy, one of the original lithium metal and lithium-ion battery companies. After graduation I did a 4-month summer research term with Prof. Mark Obrovac in Chemistry at Dalhousie where I worked on mechanofusion and dry particle micro-granulation (DPMG). Afterward I returned to E-One Moli Energy as a full-time R&D Technologist for about two years as part of the Cathode Team. I'm excited to learn more about synthesis of materials as well as new and interesting characterization techniques. In my spare time I like to play hockey, go on hikes, and play board and video games.
Contact:
matthew.garayt@dal.ca
Chenxi Geng
Hometown: Shandong, China
Program: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
Joined: September 2018
I received my bachelor's degree at the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai. Later I finished my M.Sc. at Energy Science and Technology at the Ulm University in Germany. After studying electrolytes during my master's, my research interests now focus on positive electrode materials. I am excited to gain knowledge and meet great people here!
Contact:
chenxi.geng@dal.ca
Ines Hamam
Hometown: Moncton, New Brunswick
Program: PhD Materials Engineering
Joined: September 2020
I received my B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from the Université de Moncton in 2018. Throughout my bachelor's, I did co-op terms in optics research at the INRS in Montreal and an industrial placement at the Michelin plant in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. I then completed my MSc under the supervision of Dr. Dahn in 2020 focusing on the study of the impurity washing process of Ni-rich cathode materials. When I'm not working or stressing about climate change, I enjoy painting and visiting galleries and museums!
Contact:
ines.hamam@dal.ca
Divya Rathore
Hometown: Rajgarh, India
Program: Ph.D. in Physics
Joined: September 2020
I graduated with Integrated M.Sc. Physics and BE Mechanical from BITS Pilani, India in 2020 and started my Ph.D. in the same year. I did research internships at Purdue University, in the U.S., National Central University, Taiwan, and was a visiting student to Jeff Dahn Research Group during my undergrad. I love working towards understanding and developing sustainable methods of generating, storing, and utilizing energy. I enjoy traveling and reading in my free time. Coffee is also always a good idea!
Contact
dv972446@dal.ca
Ben Tang
Hometown: Hunan, China
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: September 2021
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at Xiangtan University and got my master’s degree from Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). During my time in CAS, I was focusing on designing highly safe electrolytes for high energy density LIBs. Now that I have joined the Dahn lab, I’d like to do my research on something new even though it is challenging and tough. When I’m free would cook some delicious Chinese foods, go hiking to discover something new, or find a place to play Chinese bamboo flute.
Contact
ben.tang@dal.ca
Tina Taskovic
Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario
Program: M.Sc. in Chemistry
Joined: September 2018
I received my B.Sc in chemistry at Trent University in 2018. My desire to learn more about renewable energy and to help proliferate it lead me to join the Dahn lab as an M.Sc. candidate. When I am not in the lab; I enjoy spending my time running, travelling and catching up on some reading.
Contact
tina.taskovic@dal.ca
Ziwei Ye
Hometown: Zhengzhou, China
Program: Ph.D. in Physics
Joined: January 2022
I graduated from the University of Toronto with a BSc and MSc in Materials Science and Engineering, then I worked in BYD, Shenzhen as a battery design engineer and research assistant at the Southern University of Science and Technology before joining the Dahn lab. My current research focus is on the electrolyte optimization of Na-ion batteries. When not working in the lab, I like to go biking, playing tennis and soccer.
Contact
Ziwei.ye@dal.ca
Eniko Zsoldos
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario
Program: PhD in Chemistry
Joined: September 2020
I received my undergrad in Nanotechnology Engineering from the University of Waterloo, during which I completed co-op terms at Sila Nanotechnologies working on silicon-based anodes for batteries. I also had the opportunity to experience larger scale manufacturing of lithium-ion cells, by working on dry electrode processing at Tesla in Fremont, CA. Currently, my research in the Dahn lab is focused on high-nickel, cobalt-free cathode materials, specifically measuring and improving the diffusion of lithium ions in these materials. Outside of the lab, I love going rock climbing with my awesome labmates and playing ultimate frisbee.
Contact
eniko.zsoldos@dal.ca
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Hussein Hijazi
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Joined: June 2022
I received my Ph.D. degree in Electrochemistry from Université Paris Diderot, France in 2020. Afterwards, I joined Prof. Jean-Marie Tarascon's group at Collège de France in Paris as a postdoctoral researcher, where I worked on electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries. After that I moved to the University of Kentucky (USA) to work as a postdoctoral researcher on non-aqueous organic redox-flow batteries. I joined Prof. Jeff Dahn's lab in June 2022 as a postdoctoral researcher. My research interests mainly include resolving the degradation pathways within a battery and improving cell lifetime through careful electrolyte design including screening new additives.
Contact
hijazi@dal.ca
Dr. Ning Zhang
Hometown: Xinxiang, Henan, China
Joined: September 2021
I received my Ph.D. degree in Metallurgical Physical Chemistry at Northeastern University, China in 2021. During my Ph.D. program, I spent two years as a visiting student at the Dahn lab working on high nickel low Cobalt/Cobalt-free positive electrode materials, including the synthesis and safety test. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the lab. My research interests mainly include improving the cell's lifetime, reducing the cost in a more environmental-friendly way.
Ning's Research
Cathode materials reasearch
Contact
ningzhang@dal.ca
Undergraduate Students
Nicholas Kowalski
Hometown: Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia
Program: Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng)
Joined: May 2021
I am going into my third year of Mechanical Engineering here at Dalhousie. My interests include studying electric vehicle technology, mechanical design in SolidWorks, and engineering simulations using Finite-Element Analysis. I love learning new things and trying to understand how they work- and that’s why I’m super excited to work in the Dahn Lab. When not doing schoolwork, I enjoy being on the Dalhousie Microtransat Autonomous Sailboat Team as a Mechanical Designer, in addition to going fishing and walking long distances.
Nick's Research
Li-ion cell failure and electrolyte additives
Dedicated Machinist