Hao-Chen Hsiao

PhD Student at BMW Group | Li-Ion Batteries

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

About

4+ years of lithium-ion battery R&D experience at BMW in fast charging, degradation mechanisms, and electrochemical diagnostics of silicon-containing cells for EV applications. I work across laboratory and large-format cells, develop electrochemical and analytical methods, and translate battery test data into practical engineering decisions. My expertise includes cell-level aging studies and pack-level charging strategy, with hands-on proficiency in battery laboratory work (clean/dry rooms, glovebox), testing, and electrochemical simulation. I have authored and co-authored peer-reviewed work on SiOx-graphite aging, lithium plating diagnostics, electrolyte salt inhomogeneity, and lithium trapping.

Experience

  • Doctoral Researcher, Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) at BMW Group
    Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

    BMW-funded PhD research on fast-charge-induced degradation in silicon-containing lithium-ion cells for EV applications; with industrial rotation in pack-level fast-charging map design, battery cell can corrosion modeling, and cylindrical cell series development. - Established quantitative diagnostic workflows for degradation analysis, including lithium inventory determination (via ICP-OES, micro-GC) and differential voltage analysis. - Identified failure mechanisms in silicon-containing lithium-ion cells (half, pouch, and 4695 cylindrical cells) under varied operating conditions (e.g., charge rates, state-of-charge), and derived mitigation strategies from material to system level. - Developed charging strategies to achieve smooth power profiles, aligned with pack-level requirements and cell-level electrochemical constraints. - Evaluated corrosion kinetics and risk of Ni-coated cell cans under varying conditions (humidity, surface state, electrolyte additives) using physics-based simulation.

  • Research Intern, Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) at BMW Group
    Jan 2022 - Jul 2022 · 7 mos

    - Investigated aging mechanisms (cycle and calendar aging) and rate capability of prismatic (EV32) and cylindrical (4695) battery cells. - Designed and implemented a multiple reference electrode setup for lab pouch cells to enable fast-charging studies. - Developed electrochemical characterization techniques for aged large-format cells.

  • Research Intern, Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at Technical University of Munich
    Apr 2021 - Dec 2021 · 9 mos

    Department Battery Production Supervisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rüdiger Daub Topic: Investigation of Lithium Plating Behavior of Mechanically Structured Lithium-ion Battery Electrode - Optimized mechanically structured anode design for fast-charging lithium-ion batteries. - Analyzed lithium deposition using voltage analysis, impedance modeling, and analytical spectroscopy.

  • Research Intern, Chair of Technical Electrochemistry at Technical University of Munich
    Oct 2020 - Jan 2021 · 4 mos

    Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Hubert A. Gasteiger Topic: On the Search for Alternatives of EC-based Electrolytes for Lithium-ion Batteries - Explored ethylene carbonate alternatives for liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion cells, and assessed their stability for Ni-rich NMC, Li- and Mn-rich NMC, and LNMO cathodes. - Developed methods for electrolyte purification and evaluated the effectiveness using nuclear magnetic resonance and cyclic voltammetry.

  • Private at ROC Army (Taiwan)
    Feb 2019 - Jun 2019 · 5 mos