BATT CAVE Electrifying Experts: Lin Ma

“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.