BATT CAVE Electrifying Experts: Lin Ma
![Lin Ma and student in BATT CAVE](https://battcave.charlotte.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2024/02/LinMa_BattCave-600x400.png)
“My group explores sustainable battery technology, especially at the material level,” said Lin Ma, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “This technology has been successful in cell phones and electric vehicles; the results, however, are limited.”
While lithium and cobalt, extracts of natural elements, are used extensively for battery production, renewable energy sources — such as sun, tide and wind — currently provide limited options. At the core of the work Ma is leading is the development of new ways to make energy storage technology more sustainable.
“Sodium-based options are primary to being able to store renewable energy, so that is a focus,” said Ma, who teaches courses such as Materials Science in Battery Technology and Thermodynamics.