Member Profiles
Graduate Students
Patrick Bonnick
Hometown: Orangeville, Ontario
Program: PhD
Joined: September 1, 2007
My position in the Dahn lab is a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades. I keep myself appraised of the advances and new experimental methodologies in Li-ion research in order to apply them to beyond Li-ion technologies. In particular, my research focuses on improving the cycle life of secondary zinc electrodes for Zn-air batteries. Zn-air batteries are cheap, sustainable, non-explosive, non-flammable and non-toxic. They could easily reach twice the energy density (by mass or volume) of today's Li-ion technologies, but their cycle life is currently only about 400 cycles. Success in increasing this number could change the battery and energy industry.
I did my undergrad in Co-op Chemical Physics at Guelph, graduating at the top of my class and gaining plenty of industrial and academic research experience through the co-op program.
Patrick's research
Beyon Li-ion technologies
Contact
pbonnick@dal.ca
Chris Burns
Hometown: Harvard, Massachusetts, USA
Program: PhD in Physics
Joined: May 1, 2009
I am a PhD student originally from outside of Boston. I graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 2009 with an advanced major BSc in Physics. I completed my MSc in Physics in 2011 under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Dahn for work establishing High Precision Coulometry. I began my PhD in Physics in 2011 under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Dahn and as a member of the DREAMS program with external funding from NSERC. The research for my PhD continues to focus on the impact of different electrolyte systems on Li-ion cell performance.
Chris's research
Electrolyte systems for Li-ion batteries
Contact
chris.burns@dal.ca
John Camardese
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Program: PhD in Chemistry
Joined: August 1, 2010
I completed my BSc (hon) from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI in 2010 and started working towards my PhD in chemistry in the Dahn lab in the fall of 2010.
My research is focused around developing and characterizing new materials for positive electrodes of lithium ion cells. I use continuously stirred tank reactor methods to synthesize mixed transition metal hydroxide materials that are developed into positive electrode materials for lithium ion batteries.
John's research
High Energy Density Positive Electrode Materials
Contact
j.camardese@dal.ca
Timothy Crowtz
Program: PhD in Chemistry
Tim's research
Fuel Cell Catalysts
Contact
tim.crowtz@dal.ca
Laura Downie
Hometown: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Program: PhD in Physics
Joined: January 1, 2011
My work on isothermal microcalorimetry started while I was on an internship through DREAMS at 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota working with Dr. Larry Krause. I am now getting our own calorimeter up, running, and producing exciting results.
Laura's research
The impact of electrolyte additives determined using isothermal microcalorimetry
Contact
laura.downie@dal.ca
Leah Ellis
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: May 2014
Leah completed her MSc under the supervision of Dr Mark Obrovac, studying alloy anodes for Na-ion batteries. During this time she was awarded an internship at Tesla Motors, where she worked in the Cell Characterization lab. Upon the completion of her MSc, she interned at E-One Moli Energy, where she worked in the Pouch Cell group. Before starting her PhD in the Dahn lab, Leah crossed the continent of Africa on a bicycle. Leah minimizes her spare time by training in endurance sports, volunteering and experimenting with DIY projects.
Leah's research
Electrolyte additives
Contact
leahellis@dal.ca
Stephen Glazier
Hometown: Fergus, Ontario
Program: MSc in Physics
Joined: September 2013
I am a second year physics masters student in the Dalhousie Research in Energy, Advanced Materials and Sustainability (DREAMS) program. I completed my BSc in theoretical physics at the University of Guelph in 2013. My previous research includes X-ray absorption, solid-state NMR and physics education. Currently, I research the synthesis and characterization of positive electrode materials for Lithium ion batteries.
Stephen's research
Positive electrode materials.
Contact
stephen.glazier@dal.ca
Jing (Jim) Li
Hometown: Wuhan, China
Program: Ph.D. in Process Engineering and Applied Science
Joined: July 2, 2013
I am a PhD student in Chemical Engineering originally from Wuhan, China. I obtained my MASc in Chemical Engineering (Nanotechnology) at the University of Waterloo in 2013, where I started the study and developed my interests on Li-ion batteries. I am currently working on the project of positive electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. My objective is to learn as much as possible to be a professional researcher, with highly specialized knowledge and expertise in the field of energy storage and materials science. This will require me to put fair enough efforts on the studies and try hard to learn from people around.
Jim's research
Positive electrode materials for Li-ion batteries
Contact
jim.lee@dahn.phys.dal.ca
Aaron Liu
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Program: M.Sc. Chemistry
Joined: September 2014
I received my B.Sc. Chemistry/Co-op Program at the University of British Columbia in spring 2013, which included an 8 month placement working on battery technology with E-One Moli Energy Corp. After receivng my undergraduate degree, I spent a year teaching in South Korea.
Aaron's Research
Positive electrode materials.
Contact
aaron.cl.liu@dal.ca
Kathlyne Nelson
Hometown: Markham, ON
Program: M.Sc. in Physics
Joined: September 1, 2012
I am a second year Physics Masters student as a member of the DREAMS (Dalhousie Research in Energy, Advanced Materials and Sustainability) program at Dal. Originally from Markham, ON, I graduated from McMaster University in 2012 with my BSc. in Honours Physics. I am currently studying electrolyte additives for Li-ion batteries in order to understand how and why they work, as well as determine their impact and fate as cells are charged and discharged.
Kathlyne's research
Study of the fate and function of electrolyte additives in Li-ion cells
Contact
kathlyne@dal.ca
Rémi Petibon
Hometown: Lyon, France
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: September 1, 2011
I am a second year Ph.D. student in Chemistry. I am originally from France but moved to Montreal (Quebec) where I finished high school and did a Bachelor in Chemistry at Montreal University (l'Université de Montréal). During my last summer at Montreal University I did an internship under the supervision of Prof. Dean MacNeil in Li-ion batteries. This the moment where I became crazy for batteries!
It has been 4 years now that I have worked in this field and I am as excited about it as I was before (so much to be done). After the internship I moved to Halifax with my wife and joined the Dahn lab where I finished my master’s. I have since started my Ph.D. in the same group, where I work on electrolyte additives and try to understand how they work!
Rémi's research
Study of electrolyte additives in Li-ion cells using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy & formulation of novel electrolyte blends
Contact
remi.petibon@dal.ca
Wenda Qiu
Hometown: Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: September, 2014
I am a visiting Ph. D student form Sun Yet-sen University (Guangdong province, China). My current research is focusing on the electrolyte additives and organic solvents for high voltage Li-ion batteries.
Wenda's research
Study of electrolyte additives in Li-ion cells
Contact
wenda.qui@dal.ca
Ramesh Shunmugasundaram
Hometown: Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, India
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
I'm a third year PhD candidate working at Dahn lab. I have completed my European Erasmus Mundus Masters in Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion (MESC) from Université de Picardie Jules Verne, France in 2010. Another Master's degree MSc in Chemistry was completed at Anna University, Chennai, India in 2006 and my undergrad BSc in Chemistry at Madurai Diraviyam Thayumanavar Hindu (MDT) College affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, India in 2001. My research is focused on Lithium-rich transition metal oxides and synthesis of mixed transition metal compounds using ultrasonicator and tank reactor.
Ramesh's research
Lithium-rich positive electrode materials and ultrasonicator-based synthesis of transition metal compounds
Contact
s.ramesh@dal.ca
Deijun Xiong
Hometown: China
Program: Ph.D. in Chemistry
Joined: September 16, 2009
I am a PhD student from China. I graduated from China Central Normal University (CCNU) with a BSc in organic chemistry in 2008. I have been working here for four years as a research assistant. During my PhD, I will focus on the studies of electrolyte additives for the performance improvement of lithium ion batteries.
Deijun's research
Electrolyte additives for Lithium Ion batteries
Contact
deijun.xiong@dal.ca
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. David S. Hall
Hometown: Sutton, Ontario, Canada
Joined: September 2014
I received my PhD in Chemistry from the University of Ottawa in 2014. My doctoral research was performed at National Research Council Canada, studying electrocatalysis and industrial production of hydrogen. I received my BSc in Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario, where I utilized electrochemistry and surface analysis to study the long-term disposal of nuclear waste.
David's research
Materials characterisation, electrolyte additives
Contact
davidhall@dal.ca
Dr. Xiaowei Ma
Hometown: Shandong, China
Joined: December, 2013
I received my PhD in chemistry from Florida State University in 2013. My doctoral research focused on the synthesis of rare earth intermetallics and Zintl phases using flux methods, with an emphasis on the characterization of magnetic and transport properties. I received my M.E in Power Machinery Engineering from Tongji University in 2007. I received my B. Sc in Chemistry from Tongji University from Tongji University in 2004.
Xiaowei's research
Respirator materials
Contact
xiaowei.ma@dal.ca
Dr. Lénaïc Madec
Hometown: France
Lénaïc's research
Electrolyte additives, surface science, XPS
Contact
lenaic.madec@dal.ca
Dr. Mengyun Nie
Hometown: China
Joined: March 2014
Mengyun's research
Development of new electrolyte additives for Li-ion cells
Contact
mengyun@dal.ca
Dr. Jian Xia
Hometown: Xinyang, Henan Province, China
Joined: January 20, 2013
I received my BSc and my Ph. D in physical chemistry in Sun Yet-sen University (Guangdong province, China). My research during my Ph. D was generally concentrating on Li-ion batteries and energy some energy storage-related work. Before I joined Dahn lab as a postdoctoral fellow, I have already worked in Dahn lab for one year as a visiting Ph. D student. Currently, my research focuses on the electrolyte additives and organic solvents for high voltage Li-ion batteries. This research topic is challenging but is very important to the Li-ion battery industry. I have already made some progress in this area.
Jian's research
Electrolyte additives
Contact
jian.xia@dal.ca
Research Associates
Ryan Day
Hometown: Dundas, Ontario
Joined: September 2014
I received my B.Sc. Physics at the University of Toronto in 2013, MSc. University of Toronto (Ultracold Atomic Physics)
Ryan's research
Cell lifetime and thermal studies
Contact
r.day@dal.ca
Lin Ma
Hometown: Lanzhou, Gansu, China
Program: M.Sc. in Chemistry
Joined: August 15, 2012
I'm originally from Lanzhou which is a beautiful place in China. I completed my BSc with honors from Xiamen University in China. My current project is about the impact of solvents and additives on the safety of Li-ion batteries. I enjoy the opportunity to follow my dreams and try my best every day.
Lin's research
Safety study of the reaction between charged electrodes and electrolytes
Contact
l.ma@dal.ca
Dr. David Stevens
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Joined: February 7, 1997
I currently manage testing and data analysis for cells from the Automotive partners in our Automotive Partnership Canada research project. I previously co-ordinated our group's catalyst research program for PEM fuel cells. During my PhD program, I investigated the mechanisms for sodium insertion in carbonaceous electrode materials. Prior to moving to Canada, I was employed as a senior research scientist with Comalco Research and Technology in Australia, developing composite coatings for Comalco's Drained Cathode aluminum smelting cells.
Lab Manager
Dedicated Machinist
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hometown: Bedford, Nova Scotia
Hometown: Ajax, Ontario
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hometown: Montréal, Québec