Jie Chen

Doctoral Researcher in Battery Materials | Industrial-Funded PhD | Silicon-Dominant Anodes | Electrode Processing | Electrochemical Characterization

Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

About

I am a battery materials researcher and PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of Ulm (expected graduation: Jun 2026) with 5+ years of experience in Li-, Na-, and Mg-based energy storage systems. At ZSW, I work on water-based binder systems for micro-silicon-dominant anodes, linking slurry formulation, electrode processing, and electrochemical performance in an industry-funded PhD project in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz AG. Core areas of expertise: • Silicon-dominant anodes, aqueous binder systems, slurry design, and electrode processing • Half-cell and full-cell testing, including cycling, rate capability, EIS, and CV • Materials characterization and diagnostics, including SEM, FTIR, Raman, and post-mortem analysis • Data analysis, visualization, and technical reporting with Python, Origin, and Excel I hold an M.Sc. in Materials Science from the University of Stuttgart and am open to research and R&D opportunities across industry, research institutes, and academia, particularly in battery materials, electrode development, and electrochemical characterization.

Experience

  • Doctoral Researcher at Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)
    Mar 2022 - Aug 2025 · 3 yrs 6 mos

    • Conducted an industry-funded PhD project in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz AG on water-based binder engineering for silicon-dominant anodes for lithium-ion batteries. • Established links between slurry formulation, rheology, electrode processing, mechanical integrity, and electrochemical performance for aqueous binder systems. • Evaluated half-cell and full-cell performance in coin, EL-Ref, and EL-PAT formats using cycling, rate capability, DCIR, and EIS. • Performed post-mortem analysis using SEM-EDX, Raman, and FTIR to identify degradation and processing-related bottlenecks. • Contributed to application-relevant electrode development through work on slurry mixing, coating, and related processing steps.

  • Scientific Assistant at Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU)
    Jan 2021 - Oct 2021 · 10 mos

    • Developed metalloporphyrin-based organic cathodes for lithium half-cells using water-based slurry processing and doctor-blade coating. • Performed electrochemical characterization including cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling, rate capability testing, and EIS. • Prepared and analyzed samples using SEM and powder XRD, and correlated morphology and crystallinity with electrochemical performance. • Contributed to peer-reviewed research in battery materials.

  • Master Thesis at Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU)
    Dec 2019 - Oct 2020 · 11 mos

    • Optimized the synthesis and purification of magnesium borate-based electrolytes for rechargeable magnesium-sulfur batteries. • Prepared electrolyte systems with different solvent environments and evaluated their behavior in Mg|Pt, Mg|Mg symmetric, and Mg-S cells. • Synthesized sulfur/Ketjenblack composite cathodes via melt diffusion. • Characterized materials and electrolyte systems using NMR, XRD, TGA-DSC, and ESI-MS.

  • R&D Associate at Coca-Cola Beverages (Shanghai) Co. Ltd
    Dec 2016 - Apr 2017 · 5 mos

    • Supported beverage formulation and product development for multiple Asian markets, with a focus on stability, sensory evaluation, and iterative recipe optimization. • Conducted laboratory testing and documented formulations, test results, and project progress to support product quality and development decisions.

  • Test Engineer at Jiaxing jinyang Plastic Pipe Co., Ltd.
    Jul 2015 - May 2016 · 11 mos

    • Performed mechanical testing of engineering plastics, focusing on durability, strength, impact resistance, and compliance with product standards. • Prepared technical test reports to document results and support quality evaluation.